wonderful Wildlife

The Town of Farragut is partnering with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Water Quality Forum, a local non-profit, to ask citizens, businesses, and organizations to certify their outdoor spaces as Certified Wildlife Habitats. By providing food, water, cover, and a place for wildlife to raise their young in a healthy habitat, you not only help wildlife, but you also qualify to become an official Certified Wildlife Habitat, joining an active community of  gardeners across the country. Through this program, over 200 communities nationwide are enhancing and restoring wildlife habitat to promote community resiliency, urban forestry, water conservation, and beautification.

How can Farragut residents support this effort?

It’s easy! We are asking homeowners, businesses, and community areas like churches, to commit to easy actions to support wildlife, like birds and pollinators (bees and butterflies). The actions are simple, like putting up a bird feeder and a bird bath. When you sign up for this certification you are helping Farragut show that we are a community that supports a healthy environment for our citizens and wildlife.

Each individual participant (homeowner, apartment-dweller, school, common area, business etc.) who plans to get certified will need to register online on the NWF website. The registration is a very simple process and guides you through each step. It has a nominal one-time fee of $20 (FREE for schoolyards), which includes a subscription to the National Wildlife magazine.

 green button with words "learn more". button links to NWF Garden for Wildlife brochure. Opens in new window


How will my certification help the Town of Farragut be recognized?

To earn standing as a Community Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation, approximately 150-200 homes, in addition to several schools, business, common areas, churches, and public parks, in Farragut must be individually certified as wildlife habitats.

Farragut is only the second municipality in Tennessee to pursue this certification (Knoxville being the first). We join nearly 200 communities nationwide.

For updates on Farragut's progress as a wildlife community, click here!


What's in it for me?

Aside from the benefits you gain through the National Wildlife Federation, including discounts on signage so you can display evidence of your certification, you will likely experience environmental benefits in your own garden. For instance, using native plants can reduce the amount of time, water, and chemicals you need to maintain your garden. Encouraging bats to live near your property can reduce the mosquito population. Birds and butterflies are enjoyable to watch and provide pollination and insect control benefits as well. Bees will pollinate your flowers so you have them for years to come.  

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  1. What are the basics of the Farragut Wonderful Wildlife program?
  2. How will the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program help wildlife in Farragut?
  3. How will the certification help Farragut as a community?
  4. As an individual and a Farragut resident, what can I do to contribute to this community initiative?
  5. How much does it cost to certify my property?
  6. What does the fee cover?
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