Calling All Texas Wildlife Gardeners!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
By: Alice Nance

Certify your garden as a Best of Texas Backyard Habitat

The Best of Texas Backyard Habitat program is a cooperative effort of the National Wildlife Federation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. We’ve created a joint wildlife gardening certification program that pushes the bar a little higher, challenging Texas wildlife gardeners to create habitats that maximize the benefits for wildlife and highlight sound conservation practices.

Gardens accepted into this Best of Texas program will also automatically be registered with the National Wildlife Federation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Wildscapes program. 

A Best of Texas wildlife habitat has the following:

• Native Plants: The garden should be largely made up of native plants and free of invasive species. If there are more than two plants listed on Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Invasive Exotic Species list, we will reserve the right to deny certification as a Best of Texas Backyard Habitat.  

• Food: Native plants are one of the best food sources for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Feeders alone will not be accepted but should there be a time period when food is not available from plants, feeders would then be required. 

• Water: Fresh, clean water must be provided in a way that is useable and reliable for wildlife. 

• Control of Bird Predators: You must be taking active measures to control cats, House Sparrows and English Starlings on your property. This could include, but is not limited to:
• Keeping your cat indoors and encouraging your neighbors to do the same. 
• Monitoring nest boxes for evidence of House Sparrows or European Starlings. 
• Using feeds that sparrows and starlings dislike, etc. 

• Resource Conservation Measures: You must be participating in at least six of the following measures: 
• Establishing a rain garden or buffer to filter storm water
• Capturing roof rainwater
• Mulching
• Using drip soaker hose instead of sprinkler
• Eliminating chemical use
• Xeriscape plantings
• Reducing or eliminating lawn areas
• Composting yard and food waste
• Green roof
• Water sparingly and only in early mornings or evenings
• Removing invasive exotics
• Planting deciduous trees along the southern exposure of the house
• Keeping your cat indoors

Does your garden meet the challenge? If so, Best of Texas Backyard Habitats may be just the program for you!

To become certified as a Best of Texas Backyard Habitat, complete the application and mail it with the certification fee to:

Best of Texas Backyard Habitats
National Wildlife Federation
Gulf States Natural Resource Center
44 East Avenue Suite 200
Austin, TX 78701

The Best of Texas Backyard Habitats does not offer its own sign, but you will have an opportunity to purchase a National Wildlife Federation "Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat" sign and a Texas Parks and Wildlife Texas Wildscape sign.

Download an Application Form (PDF 181.5 KB)