- Categories:
- Animal
- Tags:
- ConservationEnvironmentWildlife
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May
- Holiday emoji:
- 🦋
Gardening for Wildlife Month unfolds throughout May, inspiring individuals to transform their outdoor spaces into havens for local flora and fauna. Discover how to plant native species, provide essential resources, and create a thriving ecosystem in your own backyard. Join the movement to protect and celebrate our natural world!
Want to sponsor Gardening for Wildlife Month? Learn how
Expected Gardening for Wildlife Month Deals
Throughout Gardening for Wildlife Month, expect many nurseries and garden centers to offer promotions on native plants, bird feeders, and eco-friendly gardening supplies. Organizations like the National Wildlife Federation often partner with retailers for donation-matching programs, encouraging purchases that support habitat conservation. Look for special events and workshops hosted by local Audubon chapters and botanical gardens, sometimes with discounts on educational materials or membership. Brands such as Wild Birds Unlimited and Gardener’s Supply Company typically highlight products that attract and support wildlife. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May approaches, but always check the official websites of conservation groups for direct ways to contribute.
Platform Guide for Gardening for Wildlife Month
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #GardeningForWildlife. Share photos and videos of your wildlife-friendly garden, showcasing native plants, pollinators, and any visiting creatures.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #GardeningForWildlife. Share tips for creating habitats, retweet conservation news, and engage in discussions about local biodiversity.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #GardeningForWildlife. Join local gardening groups to share progress, ask questions, and inspire others in your community.
Gardening for Wildlife Month Hero
Rachel Carson
History of Gardening for Wildlife Month
A devastating byproduct of human growth has been the loss of natural habitats everywhere around the world. Wild animals and plants can no longer rely on woodlands, marshes, and ponds — these places have been slowly disappearing to make way for roads, homes, factories, etc. As a result, wildlife that was once thriving is now facing multiple threats, and their populations are dwindling.
That’s when, over time, studies began to be conducted to find a solution to this concerning issue. Since private residential property took almost one-third of the urban landscape in many developed nations, one way to revive the wildlife was to plan urban gardens that would be completely wildlife-friendly.
A key organization leading the development of these ‘wildlife gardens’ was the National Wildlife Federation, which began operations in 1973 and has been pushing for a wildlife-supportive gardening method ever since. They’d even conducted 24 studies on the impact of wildlife gardening, all of which clearly showed that such places do indeed boost biodiversity, help wildlife ecosystems thrive, and supplement natural resources when local plants and trees are planted. These places are also almost always home to twice as many species of birds as areas without such gardens.
People who’ve had their homes and backyards turned into wildlife gardens witness this phenomenon first-hand. They’ve recounted tales of seeing local species of animals along with many migratory birds and butterflies, many of whom return to this safe haven year after year.
For now, wildlife gardens are seldom-seen backyard designs for many homes across the U.S. This month is aimed at getting people to realize that any garden can be transformed into a wildlife-friendly place. While endangered animals — think otters and ospreys — might not find a home in your garden, you can be directly responsible for helping swallows, butterflies, frogs, and even local plants thrive in a world where they don’t find many suitable places to live.
Gardening for Wildlife Month timeline
President Nixon signs a landmark wildlife conservation law that protects a comprehensive list of wildlife, becoming one of the United States’ most powerful environmental laws ever created.
The Nonprofit National Wildlife Federation launches a special program — Garden for Wildlife — to encourage more wildlife conservation in backyards and people's immediate surroundings.
“Backyard Habitat” on Animal Planet teaches viewers how to attract and conserve wildlife in their backyards in a D.I.Y.-style format.
National Wildlife Federation’s 'Garden for Wildlife celebrates 45 years of helping people conserve wildlife locally.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Gardening for Wildlife Month
Local businesses can honor Gardening for Wildlife Month by promoting sustainable practices and educating their communities. Nurseries can host workshops on native plant selection or offer discounts on drought-tolerant species. Hardware stores might feature eco-friendly pest control alternatives and provide resources on building bee hotels. Even restaurants can participate by sourcing local, organic ingredients and highlighting their commitment to environmental stewardship, encouraging customers to support biodiversity in their own backyards.
Gardening for Wildlife Month FAQs
When is Gardening for Wildlife Month?
In 2027, this important observance takes place all through May, inspiring individuals to support biodiversity and ecological balance right where they live.
How many species benefit from wildlife gardening?
An estimated 80% of North American wildlife relies on native plants for food and habitat, highlighting the critical impact of wildlife-friendly gardens on diverse ecosystems.
What is a certified wildlife habitat?
To become certified, a garden must offer at least one source of water, two types of food, two types of cover, and two places for wildlife to raise their young, along with sustainable gardening practices.
Why is native planting important for wildlife?
Unlike non-native species, indigenous flora supports the entire food web, from caterpillars that feed birds to nectar for pollinators, forming the foundation of a healthy, balanced local environment.
Gardening for Wildlife Month Activities
Turn your garden into a wildlife haven
Build a space where animals, birds, and other creatures feel at home. Plant a variety of flowering shrubs, grow a tree, and maybe even put it in a little pond. Take help from various online sources to help you plan the best green space for your backyard.
Go loco for local
Much of wildlife gardening revolves around protecting local wildlife. Planting native plants and trees to attract local wildlife is a great way to create local ecosystems without harming the biodiversity of your region. Local gardeners, online sources, and a bit of research will help you here too.
Get involved with external wildlife gardens
Know of any wildlife gardens near you? Why not check it out, then check to see if they need volunteers for any tasks? You can also pitch to have these gardens created at local spaces like the park, the school backyard, or even a local community center. It can be as easy as planting more native plants or as challenging as trying to create little ecosystems for various animal and bird species.
5 Interesting Facts About Gardens And Wildlife
An insect haven
More than 8,000 different insects are likely to call your garden home — and most of these are utterly harmless and can actually be helpful to you and your plants.
Flower power
One way to create a butterfly habitat is to plant myriad flowering plants, as they winged wonders — and moths — feast on almost any flower's nectar.
Love the frogs
Don't get rid of frogs or toads, as they are nature's pest control — they munch on different worms and other mini-insects, keeping that population in check.
No need to go wild
Wildlife-friendly gardens don't need to look wild; an ordered green space that has a healthy and balanced bunch of flora is enough to attract wildlife.
One space, many ecosystems
One garden can hold thousands of ecosystems — there can be a special space for birds, one for insects, another for critters, and of course, multiple spaces for invertebrates.
Why We Love Gardening for Wildlife Month
You're helping out the environment
Planting — with a purpose — is greatly helping the local wildlife survive and thrive in a safe space. Plus, research also shows these little spaces make a necessary 'corridor' between larger protected areas for all migratory species like eagles, tree sparrows, etc.
We've got our own green space
It's a tiny green lung in the middle of all the concrete and pollution. Even the smallest of these wildlife gardens contribute towards making your homes and immediate surroundings more green, which is never a bad thing.
Gardening for wildlife helps humans too
No one can deny spending this much more time in nature — the gardens will need your love, care, and attention — is very rewarding for owners too. They're benefitting from better oxygen levels in their immediate surroundings, they see bright colors every day, and they’re calmer and less stressed due to the presence of the wildlife.
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