What’s Your Sign?
by Rue Lucas - East Low Country District
Although a cheezy cliché from the disco era, it certainly got the conversation started!
With a catchy photo and simple slogan, signage in the garden can serve the same purpose; it gets the conversation started.
Those of us who GardenFORLife know that our ultimate goal is to reconnect man with nature and restore the ecosystem, bit by bit. In doing so, we may employ gardening practices that are a little different from the “norm” which may be misunderstood. Letting the lawn grow or leaving the leaves might not be interpreted as an intentional act to benefit wildlife. So how do we get the message across? One way to invite questions is with signage. A sign from an “official” organization can validate our practices, explain in a few short words what we are trying to do and invite questions which we are all too happy to answer.
- Why do you want your yard to serve as a Certified Wildlife Habitat?
- Why is it so important to save the Monarchs?
- What’s all the fuss about pollinators?
Questions like these can lead to discussions on the importance of planting native trees and shrubs and building habitats for all kinds of wildlife and, as we know, every little bit helps!
So invite them into your garden and get the conversation started. Who knows, you might just be growing a GardenerFORLife- and that would be a very good sign indeed!
Here are some of the conservation groups, their missions, and signs available to purchase with your donation to their cause. Their websites are loaded with useful information.
National Wildlife Federation
The campaign to Certify Wildlife Habitats has been supported by our federated garden clubs for many years. The process is simple: log on to www.nwf.org , select Get Involved and start the process.
Certification Requirements
Certified Wildlife Habitat® applicants are asked to confirm they’ve provided the required number of elements for each of the following:
Before applying, download the checklist to ensure you have met all the requirements for your wildlife garden.
South Carolina Wildlife Federation
The conservation and education programs at SCWF focus on protecting habitat for wildlife across the Palmetto State, from the mountains to the sea:
- As the state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, SCWF participates in the Gardening for Wildlife program and provides assistance to gardeners who desire to attract wildlife to backyards, parks, churches, libraries, schools, businesses, and other places throughout the community.
- SCWF has also developed the Wildlife And Industry Together (WAIT) program, which recognizes industries managing their land for wildlife.
- SCWF works with legislators to protect precious wildlife habitat and ensure that sound scientific data is used to make decisions which affect wildlife.
For more information: scwf.org
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. The Xerces Society is a science-based conservation organization, working with diverse partners that include scientists, land managers, educators, policymakers, farmers, and communities. By utilizing applied research, engaging in advocacy, providing educational resources, addressing policy implications, and building community, we endeavor to make meaningful long-term conservation a reality.
For more information: www.xerces.org
North American Butterfly Association
NABA's Butterfly Garden and Habitat Program can help you create a paradise for butterflies while encouraging habitat restoration, no matter the size of your area. Plan your garden with the Basics of Butterfly Gardening. Learn which native plants are suitable for gardening in your location with Regional Butterfly Garden Guides. Show your commitment to increasing butterfly populations and educating others through NABA's Butterfly Garden Certification Program. Explore essential native butterfly garden plants selected by NABA's butterfly gardening community with Butterfly Garden Plants. For more information: naba.org
Monarch Watch is a nonprofit educational outreach program based at the University of Kansas that focuses on the monarch butterfly, its habitat, and its spectacular fall migration.
Mission Statement: Monarch Watch strives to provide the public with information about the biology of monarch butterflies, their spectacular migration, and how to use monarchs to further science education in primary and secondary schools. We engage in research on monarch migration biology and monarch population dynamics to better understand how to conserve the monarch migration. We also promote protection of monarch habitats throughout North America.
Vision Statement: In recognition of the rapid loss of habitats and resources needed by monarch butterflies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, our vision is the preservation of the monarch migration will require stewardship by the governments and private citizens of all three countries. We all must work together to create, conserve, and protect monarch habitats. Sustaining monarch habitats will have the effect of protecting vital pollinators and other wildlife. For more information: monarchwatch.org
