Owners of approved backyard wildlife habitats receive a certificate and the NWF newsletter four times a year. How to Attract Wildlife Planting wildlife-friendly trees, shrubs and perennials is an important step in creating a backyard wildlife habitat. Native plants are the first choices for local wildlife. Discarded Christmas trees are good tops for brush piles. Cavities in trees, especially dead trees, are habitats for many birds and mammals.
Many homeowners provide additional food and shelter to birds by erecting feeders and nesting boxes.
You can attract specific birds by choosing certain feeder designs and filling them with foods to attract a particular type of bird. Water for birds and other wildlife can be provided in birdbaths, water gardens, fountains or any shallow container. The sound of moving water is an attraction for many creatures.