Help Wildlife by Planting Native Plants on Your Property!

Compared to native landscapes, yards dominated by introduced plants:

1.       Produced 75% fewer caterpillars

2.       Were 60% less likely to have breeding chickadees

3.       Nests contained 1.5 fewer eggs

4.       Clutches were 29% less likely to survive

5.       Nests produced 1.2 fewer fledglings

6.       Maturation was delayed by 1.5 days

(Credit Doug Tallamy https://homegrownnationalpark.org/tallamys-hub-1)

The Washington Township Environmental Commission, in partnership with the Long Valley Garden Club and the Washington Township Green Team, is working to certify Washington Township as a Community Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.

We need your help! Make your property a Certified Wildlife Habitat by providing the four habitat components – food, water, cover, and places to raise young – and by practicing sustainable gardening techniques such as eliminating pesticides, conserving water and planting native species. Properties that adhere to the criteria can apply to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Once we have 200 points for certified wildlife habitats in town (1 point for homes, 3 for businesses and parks, 5 for schools) Washington Township becomes a Community Wildlife Habitat – and will be among the first in New Jersey to do so!

Although the town already has a commendable amount of green space and preserved lands, efforts to enhance private properties through wildlife landscaping practices would provide needed help for our local pollinators, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants.