Certifiable!

Commissioner Director James R. Kern III announced the county's partnership with the National Wildlife Federation and participation in the Community Wildlife Habitat program in January 2024. “The challenge is to make Warren County the first county-wide Community Wildlife Habitat certified by the National Wildlife Federation in New Jersey,” says Kern. “Warren County is known for its natural beauty, but unfortunately, habitat loss is impacting many species that call this county home. By working together, Warren County can create an environment that helps our local plants and animals thrive. As we look for places on county property to certify, anyone can volunteer to make their space more sustainable for our wildlife; whether it's at home, at work, at your school, or house of worship.”

Since its inception in 1973, the National Wildlife Federation has empowered millions of individuals with guidelines to make their landscapes more hospitable for wildlife. Through the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, the Federation has certified over 250,000 sites by ensuring they provide the four essential elements for wildlife: food, water, cover, and places to raise young, while integrating sustainable gardening and landscaping practices.

Warren County invites interested residents to join the certification effort by certifying their own properties or communal spaces through the National Wildlife Federation's website. Additionally, residents are encouraged to engage with the county's education and outreach initiatives to learn about creating a healthier and more wildlife-friendly community. By participating in this initiative and certifying their green spaces as Certified Wildlife Habitats, residents can play a crucial role in enhancing the local environment and supporting wildlife conservation efforts.

To date, through the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, the National Wildlife Federation has certified more than 250,000 sites. To be certified, a site must provide the four basic elements that all wildlife need to thrive: food, water, cover, and places to raise young while integrating sustainable gardening and landscaping practices.

Your Pollinator Paradise

Suitable habitat for pollinators is a critical element for successful environmental conservation. A pollinator garden should be stocked with a variety of flowering plants and greenery. Some additional suggestions to further enhance it as a pollinator-friendly garden could include:

• Add more native plants. Look for native flowers, shrubs, and trees that are attractive to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators in your local area. Native plants are often better suited to the local climate and ecosystem.
• Incorporate nectar-rich and pollen-rich plants. Include a mix of plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide a continuous source of food for pollinators throughout the growing season.
• Provide a water source. Consider adding a small birdbath, shallow dish, or dripping faucet to give pollinators a place to access water.
• Leave some bare ground. Small patches of bare soil can provide nesting sites for ground-nesting bees and other beneficial insects.
• Avoid the use of pesticides. Pesticides can be harmful to pollinators, so try to use organic or natural pest control methods instead.
• Add host plants for caterpillars. Include plants that serve as food sources for the larval stage of butterflies and moths, which are an important part of the pollinator lifecycle.

By incorporating a few of these additional elements, you can further optimize your pollinator garden to support a diverse array of beneficial insects and other pollinators.