Wildlife Federation, Home Depot offer environment-friendly projects

The National Wildlife Federation and The Home Depot have teamed up to make Americans' passion for do-it-yourself projects benefit wildlife, the environment and communities.

With a partnership beginning this fall, Home Depot stores are offering products, information and expertise to help people transform backyards and outdoor areas of any size into wildlife and environment-friendly National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat sites.

"We hope to demonstrate to millions of Americans that home improvement can be habitat improvement, too," said NWF President Mark Van Putten. "The Home Depot will become the neighborhood place to go to discover the wonders of gardening with the health of wildlife and nature in mind."

Along with offering NWF habitat-friendly products, The Home Depot will hold Backyard Wildlife Habitat clinics in select stores.

The clinics will demonstrate the basics of making landscapes more hospitable for wildlife and will cover such topics as butterfly gardening, bird feeding, seasonal habitat ideas and water gardening for wildlife.

NWF field educators and other trained volunteers will share their habitat expertise, showing how to develop landscapes that connect homeowners with the natural wonders that can be found right outside their doors.

Customers can also learn how to have their yards certified by the National Wildlife Federation as official Backyard Wildlife Habitat sites, signaling their commitment to caring for the environment around them.

More than 33,000 habitats have already been certified by NWF nationwide, in places ranging from small urban balconies to suburban yards, business properties, school campuses and even governors' mansions. They all share the ability to attract and help sustain a rainbow of birds, butterflies and other wildlife, while getting their owners involved in contributing to the health of the local environment.

"The Home Depot is proud of its commitment to the environment and to customer education," said Jerry Edwards, executive vice president of merchandising. "Our new relationship with the National Wildlife Federation is a win for our customers, their communities and the environment we all share."

Habitat restoration is critical for wildlife in urban and suburban settings. For almost 30 years, NWF's Backyard Wildlife Habitat program has shown how changing landscapes to encourage more wildlife also enhances the quality of the air, soil and water throughout a community.

"This effort will give current nature enthusiasts another good reason to shop at Home Depot," said Edwards. "We are very pleased to participate in this exciting new wildlife program. We want our stores to become the place to go for people who care about healthy habitats."

Home Depot customers interested in creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat will initially be able to buy birdseed, and later, bird feeders, birdbaths, backyard pond kits and bird nesting boxes developed with the expertise of NWF's naturalists. Purchases will generate a contribution to further NWF's conservation work. NWF also will be providing activities for Home Depot's Kids Workshops, demonstrating that even youngsters can help protect the natural in our world.

"Backyard habitat projects are not only rewarding but they can be fun for the whole family," said Van Putten. "Making a place for wildlife in our world engages and inspires children and adults alike while making our communities a healthier place to live."

The nation's largest member-supported conservation education and advocacy group, the National Wildlife Federation unites people from all walks of life to protect nature, wildlife and the world we all share.

The Federation has educated and inspired families to uphold America's conservation tradition since 1936.