Many of you do not know we are a certified backyard wildlife habitat. We are certified through the National Wildlife Federation. Several years ago I made the choice to go ahead and register the property.

One of the reasons I made the decision was because we are so close to town that I wanted wild animals to have a safe place to find food, water and shelter. I wanted to be able to grow plants that were beneficial to them. Weeds and brush piles are also important. I did not want to be told that I could not provide the much needed shelter for these wild animals.

In the never ending desire to have the neatest, nicest house on the block, people often forget about the needs of their wild friends. While grass cut short and hedges perfectly trimmed may look nice, these domesticated areas leave much to be desired for wild animals and birds.

Predators, even in the form of simple house cats, can easily spot a bird or bunny in a perfectly manicured area. There is no place for them to hide and soon they become lunch or worse, a play toy for the cat until the cat’s owner catches and scolds the cat. By then, it may be too late for the wild animal the cat caught.

I want to strongly encourage each and every one of you to allow one spot in your yard to go wild, even if this means planting an area of native plants that you do not worry about grooming. Choose bushes that do not need constant pruning or that have thorns that will deter cats. The birds can get through the thorns and remain safe.

Our wildlife habitat number is 77285. You can find out more about the getting your backyard certified as a wildlife habitat at http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/certify.cfm