National Water Rebates
NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat program recognizes yards and gardens that provide the four elements wildlife need to survive: food, water, cover, and places to raise young. Certification costs $25 and includes a yard sign. The program is open to homeowners of any lot size.
Common steps for every program in this guide
- Check your yard against the four NWF elements. Review each category: food, water, cover, and places to raise young. Most yards with any native planting already meet one or two. The NWF website has an interactive checklist that walks you through each element.
- Fill any gaps with native plants or simple additions. A birdbath handles water. A brush pile or nest box handles cover. A native shrub with berries handles food. You do not need a large yard or major renovation to qualify.
- Submit your application and pay the $25 certification fee. Complete the online application at nwf.org. The fee covers processing and a yard sign shipped to your address. The sign is included at no extra charge.
- Display your sign and document your garden. Your NWF yard sign is useful at HOA meetings and as a neighbor-facing statement of intent. Take photos before and after certification to build a documentation file for future HOA conversations.
Rebates available
The four required NWF habitat elements
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)Native plants and the certification checklist
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)Using NWF certification with an HOA
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat FAQs
Does NWF certification provide any financial rebate?
How small can a certified wildlife habitat be?
Can my HOA prohibit a certified wildlife habitat?
How is NWF certification different from a Monarch Watch Waystation?
Rebate Concierge
Free step-by-step help with every rebate above
Every program above comes with a free guided checklist in the Pollinator Patch app: the steps in order, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos and receipts together. A few high-value programs also offer an optional ready-to-file application packet for a one-time $29.99.
Get started
Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.
Pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports your rebate application.
