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Get Certified! as Wildlife-friendly Habitat

Home > English > What We Do > ... > In the Garden > Get Certified
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Certification

CWF Garden Certification sign

Available for purchase to all CWF Certified Gardens

Order Now Metal wall mount sign
5.25” x 7.75”

Certification recognizes the amazing efforts Canadians are taking to meet the habitat needs of wildlife, and allows individuals to have their property certified by officially designating their gardens as wildlife friendly. Whether you have a small patio or acres of land, your property may receive certification once specific criteria and established best practices are met.

People with certified outdoor spaces  are eligible to purchase an official sign to place in their garden.

Why Certify your Property
Eligibility
How to Apply
Application Forms
Sign Order Form
Articles on Featured Certified Properties
Join or Browse our Wildlife-friendly Gardening Community

Why certify your property

  • You gain official status and personal satisfaction in being part of a community of Canadians that are helping local and migratory wildlife, including species at risk, right in your own backyard.
  • You receive our gardening e-newsletter Grow Wild.
  • Certified properties can raise awareness in their communities of the importance of gardening with wildlife in mind and that it can be done beautifully - in any gardening style you like.
  • You will receive a certificate and window decal

Eligibility

Eligibility graphic 1 Eligibility graphic 2 Eligibility graphic 3 Eligibility graphic 4 Eligibility graphic 5

In certifying properties, we look to see if your outdoor space meets the needs of wildlife. Chances are you already have many of these elements: food, water and shelter in the garden (including one or more native plants to your area) and earth-friendly gardening practices in maintaining it.

While we recognize the benefits of providing artificial nesting and feeding structures, we are also looking for a rounded approach that includes natural features which supports a diversity of wildlife.

The application form will guide you through these different components, but if you’d like more information or great tips and ideas in making it a reality for your property, visit our How to Garden with Wildlife in Mind section.

How to Apply

1 - Fill out the Form

Choose from three ways to apply, all listed further down on this page.

2 - Attach a sketch of your property

It can be simple or fancy, drawn by hand or with the computer. So long as we can see the main features of your property. Click thumbnails below to view sample sketches from certified properties.

sketch 1 sketch 3 sketch 4 sketch 5 sketch 6 sketch 7 sketch 8

3 – Attach a minimum 5 photos of your garden

Please include a mix of overall and close up photos of your property and its features. Feel free to add captions. Click thumbnails below to view photos from certified properties.

garden photos 1 garden photos 2 garden photos 3 garden photos 4 garden photos 5
garden photos 6 garden photos 7 garden photos 8 garden photos 9 garden photos 10

4 – Submit or mail in your form.

Please allow several weeks for processing. Successful applicants receive our gardening e-newsletter Grow Wild.

Application Forms

 
Image of online certification form
 

Apply Online

This link will take you to a form where you can fill in your property details.

 
  Print Up and Mail In Application Form  

Print Up and Mail In Application Form 

Apply for certification with our printable PDF form.

 
  Call us  

Call us at 1-877-599-5777 and we’ll mail the form to you

After you certify you're garden you will be eligible to purchase this attractive sign to put on your property to promote your garden as a safe and sustaining place for wildlife and to encourage others to create wildlife in their own gardens! If you are certified please login to continue to the sign purchase page.

Articles on Featured Certified Properties

Click here to read about other Canadians and their certified properties.

Visit our Wildlife-friendly Gardening Community

Click here to explore Canadian gardens and discover the stories behind them. Whether you’ve gardened for years or just thinking about, it’s a great way to get ideas and get inspired. Or join to post questions or comments or add your green space to our growing community with stories, photos, videos, musings and more!

Certified gardens map

Certified Gardens Photo Gallery

 There are so many ways to support our local and migratory wildlife! Enjoy browsing examples sent in by Canadians who are part of CWF's wildlife-friendly habitat community.

Forests & Fields:
Gardening 101+

For the gardening novice or the seasoned pro, our Get Gardening section offers an abundance of advice, tools and resources.

Read More

Forests & Fields:
Gardener to Gardener

Certify your outdoor space as wildlife-friendly or check out inspiring stories and photos of certified gardens. Also explore CWF’s demonstration garden maps and virtual tour. Photo: Lynda Watkins, winner

Read More

Forests & Fields:
How to Garden with Wildlife in Mind

No matter your gardening style, resources or size of green space to play with, wildlife-friendly gardening is possible for everyone. And it can be beautiful.

Read More
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Learn more

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