Cedar Waxwing on Cascara Buckthorn bush - Photo: Mick Thompson

North Olympic Wildlife Habitat Project

In September 2024, OPAS launched the North Olympic Wildlife Habitat Project in collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). This collaboration aims to inspire property owners and managers across northern Clallam and Jefferson counties to participate in the Certified Wildlife Habitat® Program—working together to establish a Community Wildlife Habitat recognized and certified by NWF.

Concerned primarily with the health and welfare of birds, we will rely heavily upon the guidance and resources offered by the National Audubon Society “Plants for Birds” program. Our focus is on gardening and property management practices with the goal of attracting and supporting a greater diversity of bird species to our outdoor spaces. We can lead individuals and groups through the Certified Wildlife Habitat® Worksheet—helping to transform gardens into habitats with an emphasis on the use of plants native to our region. Please see the links in the Resources section (below) to help get you started.

“Plants for Birds”

Why the emphasis on native plants? Because natives . . .

Moreover, native plants add a wealth of beauty, texture, varying heights, and bloom times for stunning displays over multiple seasons!

Transform your yard into a native garden.

Traditional lawns offer minimal environmental benefits and, when maintained with chemicals, can harm the environment and any creatures that live in or feed from the lawn, such as robins.

The easiest method to convert a lawn is to lay cardboard (without tape) over the grass, then apply six inches of soil and compost. This will smother the lawn, eventually killing the grass roots, and the cardboard will break down quickly. Plants can then be added directly into the new soil. For more information on how to transform or shrink your lawn area to become wildlife habitat, click here for more ideas.

Julie O’Donald (Pilchuck Audubon) has shared several of her own photos depicting a pollinator garden that she helped to established on a school property. Photo #1 shows the initial stage of lawn removal and soil preparation. Volunteers covered the existing sod with heavy cardboard before adding a mulch of beauty bark to hold the cardboard in place. They spread donated wood chips to create pathways throughout the garden. Photo #2 depicts an intermediate stage of the developing garden fourteen months later. Photo #3 displays an established garden at the end of the third summer.

Julie serves as a volunteer with the Community Wildlife Habitat Program of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). She credits her training with the Xerces Society and NWF for enhancing her work as a Community Citizen Scientist in the creation of gardens for pollinators such as this example.

How to Get NWF Habitat Certification

Use this (adapted) NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat® Worksheet to evaluate your property. Does it meet the requirements for NWF habitat certification? To learn more, see the NWF Habitat Essentials hyperlink listed below in Resources. Note that your property may already have naturally-occurring habitat elements that count towards certification. Acquiring certification may be easier than you think!

When you are ready, follow these steps below to apply either online or by mail.

To apply online:

1.    Go to this NWF link Take the Quiz and click on Start to see if your outdoor space supports wildlife.

2. Complete the 5-minute quiz; then click on Certify My Habitat to go through the online registration form.  

3. Click on Certify Today to complete your application and to pay the $20 application fee. See * Note below.

4. At the Select Bundle page, choose the Certification Package you prefer—fee only or additional NWF yard sign options.

To apply by mail:

1. Print this downloadable NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat® Application.

2. Complete the form on both sides.

3. Mail the completed form along with the $20 application fee according to the mail-in directions. See * Note below.

* Note: Effective 3/1/2025, NWF application and annual renewal fees will increase to $25. Fees will continue to be waived for Pre-K-12 school habitats.

Please Note! Newly certified habitat owners will be eligible to receive a NWF yard sign (valued at $50) for a suggested donation of $5.00 to OPAS while our limited supply lasts. That’s one more reason to start today transforming yards into bird-friendly habitats! As soon as you have received your certificate acknowledging your NWF certification (which may take several weeks), please email us to make arrangements for delivery with our habitat project's team.

Resources

Provided here is a selection of websites for national and state-based chapters of organizations offering garden habitat guidance and plant databases. Also provided are links to two suggested local nurseries specializing in plants native to the North Olympic Peninsula. For consultations on plant selections and habitat designs, please consider these local experts to help get you started!