National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitats®
This year, Rose Valley residents, organizations, and Borough Council will be working together to become a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat™.
.png)
To be a certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat™, Rose Valley Borough, organizations, and residents will work together to earn Habitat Certification Points.
Residents and organizations must collectively accumulate 40 Habitat Certification Points for the borough to qualify. We accumulate points by certifying our property as a Certified Wildlife Habitat(R). Each certified property earns a different number of points based on its use: K-12 schools earn 5, common areas (public parks, HOA common areas) earn 3, and private residences earn 1. Properties that have already been certified count toward the required points. Those certified more than 15 years ago must be verified.
See below for information on the 5 requirements to become certified. You also can download the NWF Garden Certification Walk-through Checklist to refer to as you prepare your property for certification.
When you are ready to certify, visit the National Wildlife Federation website.
This form is intended only for Rose Valley, PA residents or representatives of organizations located in Rose Valley, PA. Information provided by participants on this form will be used only for the purposes of attaining the Community Wildlife Habitat™ Certification and tracking Rose Valley Borough's progress toward that goal. If you would like to participate in the project, but you cannot or would rather not use this form, feel free to email your name, address, and certification status to the Rose Valley EAC here.
Elements of a Wildlife Habitat
Food
A Certified Wildlife Habitat offers at least three sources of food for wildlife, including bird feeders, a healthy insect population, and/or native plants that offer berries, nuts, seeds, or nectar.
Water
Water is a critical component of a wildlife habitat. Your property's source of water could be a birdbath, a water garden, a water dish, or a natural stream or pond.
Cover
A Certified wildlife habitat must offer two sources of cover for wildlife. Sources include wooded areas, evergreens, fallen trees, rock walls, a roosting box, a bat house, and more.
Places to Raise Young
Wildlife needs safe places to raise their young. These include mature trees, dead trees or snags, places for burrows, and native plants that caterpillars need for food.
Sustainable Practices
Once you've made a home for wildlife, you must care for it through sustainable practices. Things like avoiding chemicals, conserving soil, and eliminating invasive species will keep wildlife healthy.