One of the very interesting parts about having a garden is the beautiful butterflies and insects such as the praying mantis, the hummingbirds and other creatures that you can bring into the garden.

The National Wildlife Federation has some great ideas for how you can bring in birds, butterflies and other wildlife into your area simply by planting various elements that will permit them to come in and find the habitat and the food that they need to survive.

If you’re interested in having your backyard or property designated as a natural wildlife area or a designated wildlife habitat they can accomplish that for you too. There are certain criteria that they require from you before designating you as a wildlife habitat but there are some exceptional benefits from accomplishing the designation for your own property.

Certification holds a price of twenty US dollars to get your property certified as a National Wildlife Federation Habitat. You are required to make certain things part of your property. Those inclusions which you need are:

- A source of food for your animals. For instance native plants, fruits, trees, seeds, berry plans and or some kind of nectar
- Source of water for your animals. You might consider a birdbath, a creek or stream, a pond, a water feature of some other kind.
- Ground cover such as thick brush, rock piles and brush, bird or animal houses.
- Nursery materials. A place for birds or small mammals to raise young such as dense vegetation, small trees, low shrubs, or for water animals, a pond or water source.
- Use non-toxic sustainable methods such as mulching, composting, water gardens, fertilizer and repellants that are not toxic and are free of harsh chemicals.

Once you have accomplished this you will visit the certification area at http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/certify.cfm to certify your property.