Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat

Infographic comparing wildlife-friendly gardens and conventional lawns, highlighting benefits of native plants for wildlife and downsides of traditional landscapes for habitat loss and water use.

Every patch of restored native habitat, even small ones, helps create a connected habitat for birds and other wildlife. Greater habitat connectivity with a diversity of native plants means animals are able to travel between these patches to find food, shelter, and other needs that help them adapt and survive amid a changing climate. Learn the basics in the University of Maryland’s Climate-Resilient Gardening Storymap.

Map of Rockville, MD showing locations of community wildlife habitat certifications in 2022, categorized by type: home, school, garden, place of worship, business, and government property.

Rockville is a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat

In 2016, Rockville was recognized by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) as the 88th certified Community Wildlife Habitat in the United States. Over 200 residents and property owners helped achieve the certification by making their garden a safe haven for wildlife and pollinators by providing food, water, cover, and places to raise young.

Certify Your Greenspace

Join the effort by providing the five habitat elements below at your home, community garden, business, school, place of worship, or even a balcony. Learn more on NWF’s Habitat Essentials page, then certify your habitat to be counted as part of the city’s community certification.

Food: All living things need to eat to survive, so food sources are a critical component of wildlife habitat.
Water: All animals need water to survive, and some need it for bathing or breeding as well. Frogs may need a small pond, but even small water features help wildlife.
Cover: Wildlife need places to take shelter from bad weather and places to hide from predators or hunt for prey. Shrubs, wildflower gardens, and rock walls all help to protect wildlife.
Places to Raise Young: Wildlife need resources to protect and nourish their young. Nesting boxes for birds, milkweed for caterpillars, or ponds for frogs all create essential places to safely feed and nurture the next generation of their species.
Sustainable Practices: Maintain your yard or garden in natural ways and limit the use of herbicides and insecticides.