Turn Your Space into a Certified Wildlife Habitat®
Hawai‘i is at the forefront of the biodiversity crisis. In fact, Hawaiʻi is often referred to as the “Extinction Capital of the World” because it has nearly 600 listed threatened and endangered species (plants and animals), with over 90% of our native flora found nowhere else. Despite making up less than 1% of the U.S. land area, Hawai‘i has over 44% of the nation’s Endangered and Threatened plant species (DLNR).
hāpuʻu tree fern, photo credit Jonee Peters
Luckily, you have the power to help restore Hawai‘i’s native ecosystems by creating a habitat with food, water, and shelter in your outdoor spaces. Once you do so, your home, school, business, or place of worship can get recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat®! You’ll be helping to advance the mission of the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, National Wildlife Federation, and our partner organizations listed below. And best of all, you will be helping to keep Hawai‘i’s treasured native wildlife safe for future generations to enjoy.
Why Native Plants?
ma‘o hau hele, photo credit Forest and Kim Starr
Native plants are the foundation of a wildlife habitat garden. The National Wildlife Federation recommends a habitat garden space strive for a minimum of 70% native plants. Not sure what qualifies as a native plant or where to find them? Check out Go Native to see what native plants will thrive where you live. Not sure where to get your hands on these plants? Check out the resources and organizations below that can help you depending on what island you live on and consider supporting their critical work by volunteering or donating!
Resources and Organizations
wiliwili, photo credit unknown
Across the Islands
- Grow Aloha – adopt native plants…for free!
Kaua‘i
- National Tropical Botanical Garden – Check out their events page, they often host local plant sales!
- Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee (KISC) – See what plants might be invasive in your community and report to KISC, they can help eradicate them! You might even unknowingly have some “black listed” plants in your garden!
- Plant Pono Kaua‘i Endorsed Businesses
O‘ahu
- Grow Good Hawai‘i – Register for a free tree and garden if you’re a Wai‘anae or Waimānalo resident! Or use the Go Native filterable native plant database to plan your native plant garden.
- Protect and Preserve HI: Attend a volunteer event or hike to learn more about native plants
- Aloha Tree Alliance: Check out their native plant nursery in the Kamilo Nui Valley!
Maui
- National Tropical Botanical Garden – Kahanu Garden – Check out their native plant care fact sheets to learn how to make sure your native plants thrive
Hawai‘i Island
- Plant Pono – Check out their list of endorsed nurseries and landscapers to help you get started
Learn more about how to certify!
Benefits of your $25 certification include:
‘ōhi‘a, photo credit Kim Starr
- A personalized certificate.
- A one-year National Wildlife Federation membership and subscription to National Wildlife® magazine.
- Subscription to monthly Garden for Wildlife® Habitats e-newsletter with gardening tips, wildlife stories, and other resources.
- Exclusive option to purchase attractive garden signs designating your garden as a Certified Wildlife Habitat® with the National Wildlife Federation and Conservation Council for Hawai‘i
Learn more about how to certify!
Once you are certified, help neighbors (and wildlife!) easily recognize your yard as wildlife-friendly with this stylish sign. Purchase this sign for $35 when you certify.
