The National Wildlife Federation cites habitat loss as the primary threat to survival of wildlife in the United States. This is mostly caused by human activities that hinder the ability of wildlife to find food, water, cover, and/or places to raise their young.

According to NWF, the three major kinds of habitat loss are habitat destruction (e.g., clearing forests, filling wetlands), habitat degradation (e.g., invasives species, pollution) and habitat fragmentation. This last one is especially problematic in urban and suburban areas like Bowie. Roads and development chop up the large contiguous forests, fields and migratory paths that used to be available to wildlife.

Creating small-scale wildlife habitats provides a great stewardship opportunity, but this requires helping wildlife while also ensuring the safety of humans, domesticated animals, and our water resources.

To try to give birds, butterflies and other wildlife in Bowie a reprieve from the stress of habitat fragmentation and degradation, the City has joined NWF's program where residents and communities can collaborate to help provide the missing requirements of all wildlife: food, water, cover, and places to raise young. The Bowie Gardens 4 Wildlife group is helping Bowie become a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) certified Community Wildlife Habitat. To achieve this goal, the City must meet education and community project requirements and have a minimum of 200 homes, 6 community sites (office buildings, parks, places of worship, homeowner associations, etc.), and 5 schools certified by NWF. Property owners who provide the four basic elements of habitat can apply for certification at http://www.nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat. NWF reviews applications and mails certificates indicating the property is a Certified Wildlife Habitat. NWF provides a 1-year membership in return for an application fee. Every certification in Bowie supports our community goal!

You might be interested in giving this a try but don't know where to begin. Well, you're in luck! Each May, Bowie Gardens 4 Wildlife hosts a Backyard Habitat Tour.  A few residents open their yards and habitats to the public to show the ways they are providing for wildlife and using sustainable landscaping practices. They are available to chat about what has and hasn't worked for them and can give pointers on how to get started in your backyard!