Join the Homegrown National Park Movement

This initiative focuses on catalyzing a collective effort of individual homeowners, property owners, land managers, farmers, and anyone with some soil to plant in…to start a new HABITAT® by planting native plants and removing most invasive plants.  It is the largest cooperative conservation project ever conceived or attempted.  The initial goal is 20 million acres of native plantings in the U.S. This represents approximately ½ of the green lawns of privately-owned properties. 

Since 1973, Garden for Wildlife has been educating and empowering people to turn their own small pieces of Earth into thriving habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. In doing so, people across North America are making a difference in their cities, towns, and neighborhoods—all while deepening their connections to the natural world. Founded on the belief that everyone can enjoy and protect wildlife where they live, work, learn, play, and worship, the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife programs provide simple steps and resources to create beautiful spaces that make a big impact for local and migratory species, from small window boxes to vast habitat corridors.

This inspirational international movement asks participants to give at least half of your garden or land back to nature. If not half, as much as you can manage. It also encourages everyone to grow as much of your own organic food as possible in the other half. Protect and guide your Ark to re-wild through natures natural processes and it will become a more and more complex ecosystem over time.  

Join the Northeast Pollinator Pathway. Eliminate pesticides, add native plants, reduce some lawn area and connect with others working to create corridors of habitat across towns In your area. Click on the butterfly medallion to learn more. If you are in Barrington be sure to join the Barrington Chapter of the Pollinator Pathway, organized by the Barrington Land Conservation Trust. 

Creating a Monarch Waystation can be as simple as adding milkweeds and nectar sources to existing gardens or maintaining natural habitats with milkweeds. No effort is too small to have a positive impact. Be sure to register your habitat(s) and encourage others to follow in your footsteps! 

The Million Pollinator Garden challenge is a call to action to help preserve and create gardens that help revive the health of butterflies, bees, bats and other pollinators across America.

This initiative is founded on a straightforward premise. If just half of America's 40 million acres of lawn were converted to native plants, we could play a major role in boosting the abundance of beneficial insects that birds depend on. If all yards, parks, and campuses commit to two-thirds native and pesticide-free, they will eventually connect and create life filled corridors of habitat. Sign the list to commit to planting 2 native plants for every 3 plants you add to your yard and to going pesticide free. See who else has joined to connect with people in your local community. 

The pollinator protection pledge is part of the Xerces Society’s Bring Back the Pollinators campaign, which is based on four simple principles: Grow pollinator-friendly flowers, provide nest sites, avoid pesticides, and spread the word. With these core values, pollinator conservation can be adapted to any location, whether you tend an urban community garden or a suburban yard, work in a city park or on a farm. 

Wild Ones Chapters serve as links for native plant efforts in local communities. Find a chapter near you - or consider starting one today!