WWF is proud to partner with the National Wildlife Federation to spread the word about gardening with wildlife in mind. Wildlife needs your help. With more humans encroaching on wildlife habitat, it is up to us to do our part to keep our wildlife healthy. Managing your garden for wildlife is a great way to do your part.
Human activities have decreased and fragmented habitat, locally and on the global scale; birds, butterflies, bats and other wildlife are pushed into ever-shrinking wilderness areas for food and cover.
You can make a difference whether you have a small backyard, patio planters, a school yard, a community park, or a 20-acre farm. Wildlife can be supported when you, your school, neighborhood or business create or maintain a simple garden or a landscape with wildlife in mind. Join the larger movement to help wildlife through the Garden for Wildlife program. Enjoy Wyoming-specific ideas and our outdoor gardens!
We welcome you to visit the NWF’s page full of information about gardening for wildlife.
It’s simple to create habitat gardens in our climate and provides many benefits.
Attract birds – watch, hear, and support them during the harsh winters and migrations
Create nesting sites and a water source
Provide habitat with vertical, horizontal and structural diversity
Properly place feeding stations and nest boxes
Support pollinators – they do all the work!
Plant flowers for pollinators — bees, butterflies, bats and birds
Consider becoming a bee keeper
Use less water by planting native plants and mulching
Dissuade large animals from coming into urban areas
The right plants can provide food for the birds, or use/place feeders that don’t attract bears
Select deer-resistant plants
Create or Maintain
It’s easy to do. Here are five elements to include in a wildlife habitat. More detailed information on each element can be found on National Wildlife Federation’s website. By clicking on the underlined word, you’ll be redirected directly to the information. Then hit your back button to get back here!)
Provide Food – Plant the right species to support wildlife and create habitat
Supply Water – Add water sources like bird baths and small ponds
Create Cover – Plants can create shelter and hiding spaces
Place to Raise Young – Provide resources to reproduce and keep their species going through varying stages of life
If you are creating a garden, design it with wildlife in mind and you can still certify your garden today! Get more information on creating your habitat garden at NWF or check out Wyoming Wildscape which is full of information, instructions and plant lists, compiled by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
One year membership to Wyoming Wildlife Federation plus National Wildlife Federation.
One year subscription to WWF’s Pronghorn newsletter – for statewide updates on Wyoming’s wildlife, public lands issues and more. You’ll also receive National Wildlife, by the National Wildlife Federation
Monthly Garden for Wildlife e-newsletter.
A 10% discount off the NWF catalog
Native Plants are Key
Native plants have formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife for thousands of years and therefore offer the most sustainable habitat for our native wildlife. A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction. Find out more or look at Wyoming Wildscape.
Coming Soon – Native Plant Finder
The National Wildlife Federation will be launching a new search tool for plants native to your zip code. Plants that support butterflies and other pollinators, provide food for caterpillars, and attract birds. This resource is based on the research of Dr. Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware and in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.
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We plan to create a map of certified gardens in Wyoming. Check back periodically for ideas from other gardeners across our Cowboy State.
The Wyoming Garden for Wyoming project is sponsored by Halladay Subaru of Cheyenne.
