Operation Habitat

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Operation Habitat logo The City of Plantation is proud to have recognized as a National Wildlife Federation certified Community Wildlife Habitat in October 2007. NWF Community Wildlife Habitats provide habitat for wildlife throughout the community — where people live, work, learn, play and worship. Communities do this by certifying individual backyards, school grounds and public areas like parks, community gardens, places of worship and businesses, as NWF Certified Wildlife Habitats®. Each individual certified site within the community provides the four basic elements that all wildlife need: food, water, cover and places to raise young. These habitats help to create new corridors for wildlife to thrive.

You can still become a National Wildlife Federation (NFW) certified Community Wildlife Habitat. Fill out the application form online that asks about the basic components of a wildlife habitat that you have in your yard: food, water, shelter and places to raise young.

If you qualify – and most do – the NWF will officially certify your property as a backyard or schoolyard or common area habitat, and the City Of Plantation will be credited with points towards our goal of becoming a nationally recognized community wildlife habitat. You will receive a wildlife habitat certification number and a year’s subscription to National Wildlife magazine from the National Wildlife Federation.

Call the NWF at 800-822-9919 with questions, or certify online at the NWF website.

Create a Habitat

egret Chances are that if you’ve got a home or place of business, then you probably already have a wildlife habitat and just don’t know it. Even if you don’t have a natural passion for horticulture, you can create an interesting, relaxing oasis to watch the energetic birds and butterflies on just a little spit of land. By creating a wildlife friendly landscape, you will be doing your part to help support the little critters that share our earth.

Just like us, all critters have needs.

Food

Put out a bird feeder and fill it with sunflower seed, or plant a shrub with berries and flowers for birds, butterflies and small animals. Provide food in the form of foliage or flowers that you are willing to have eaten by larval butterflies (caterpillars) or adult butterflies. Nectar, fleshy fruit and berries, nuts and acorns are all treats for wildlife.

Water

Even a small water feature or puddle area can be used by wildlife.

Bird baths and fountains – clean every few days to prevent mosquito breeding and bacterial contamination. Simply scrub with a brush. No soap or bleach, please!
Canals and streams
Lakes and wetlands
Water gardens and ponds

Shelter

Shrubs – A shady spot for wildlife to sit and rest
Trees – provide a bird’s eye view of the world
Ground Cover – snakes and worms enjoy sliding under the cool cover
Log Pile – a natural hang-out for lizards and such
Rock Pile/Wall – insects love rock climbing and spelunking
Meadow – butterflies like some wide-open spaces

Places to Raise Young

Burrows
Host Plants for Butterflies
Shrubs
Snags – leave dead trees in place if they do not create a hazard.
Trees

Ways to Help

Conserve Water

SFWMD Water Conservation
South Florida Water Management District
Florida Irrigation Society
Broward County “Know the Flow”
Compost – tree leaves and grass clippings are free fertilizer
Drip or Soaker Hoses – an inexpensive solution to help establish plants
Reduce lawn areas – grass lawns require the most water in a landscape
Xeriscape – native shrubs, plants, and trees require less care to remain healthy