Certified Backyard Habitat

Learn how to make your space a welcoming environment for local wildlife! In this series, we will guide you to qualify your backyard as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.  A certified backyard habitat contains the essential needs that wildlife need to thrive, including food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young.  

Wildflowers close up in field with sign text on over top half

Find out the upcoming schedule of Backyard Habitat programs and workshops using the resources below.  After you've joined a Backyard Habitat Series program (or a few!), you should have the information you need to certify your own space and add an optional certified sign to your habitat ($10 to purchase).  Registration may not open until closer to each program.  

Intro to Backyard Habitat
March 5, 2026, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Exploration Gateway

Helping wildlife one yard at a time! Urban sprawl has forced our native wildlife to relocate as their habitats change and disappear. As individuals, we may not be able to stop this trend, but we can help reintroduce wildlife back into our yards. This program is just one in a series of programs to help certify your backyard as a valuable and sustainable ecosystem for wildlife. Participants will receive instructions about getting their yard the "Certified Backyard Habitat" designation by Stark Parks naturalists.

Watershed Wise Landscaping
April 9, 2026, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Exploration Gateway

Join a representative from the Stark Soil and Water Conservation District as they explain how modern-day infrastructure affects our waterways and learn how you can turn your yard into a mini watershed to reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality, minimize potential drainage issues, and attract pollinators.

Composting
June 11, 2026, 6 p.m.
Join a representative from Rubber City Reuse as they discuss composting and their environmental initiative designed to help individuals and businesses divert organic waste from landfills and turn it into valuable compost for enriching the soil. The program encourages sustainable practices by providing the community with easy access to composting resources and education. This program is part of Stark Parks backyard certification program.

Throw and Grow Your Backyard
July 9, 2026, 6 p.m.
Throw and grow a beautiful pollinator garden by making seed balls to help support and attract pollinators to your backyard. Native seeds used in this program are from Stark Parks and have been hand-selected and cleaned by Naturalists and volunteers. This seed ball mix could include any combination of the following seeds: Wild Bergamot, Purple Coneflower, Milkweed, Mountain Mint, Maximillian Sunflower, Black-eyed Susan, or Rattlesnake Master. Each participant will make and take their seed balls home supplied with ‘how-to’ directions. 

Winterizing Your Backyard
Sept. 24, 2026
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Exploration Gateway

Getting your backyard ready for winter is key to protecting your plants and the wildlife that depends on them. Join a Stark Parks naturalist to learn practical tips for preparing your outdoor space for the colder months. 

Register for Programs

 

Backyard Habitat Submission Form

About Your Site

Habitat Elements (In order to be certified, your habitat must display the 4 main elements: food, water, shelter and a place to raise young. Tell us about your habitat and the different plants/structures you used to invite the native wildlife back into your yard.)