America has a long history of protecting its wildlife heritage. From the endangered bald eagle in the 1970s to the Kemps Ridley turtle threatened by the 2010 Gulf oil spill, Americans have shown a remarkable ability to rally and rescue species and the habitats they need to survive.

But you needn’t travel to distant locations to safeguard wildlife. There are many things you can do to help birds, butterflies and squirrels in your own backyard.

Spearheading conservation locally and nationally through the decades has been the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. The NWF has played a major role in reviving the country’s diminishing gray wolf population, purchasing land where grizzly bears, wolves and bison can roam freely, and leading efforts to reduce global warming to protect Arctic polar bears.

Like many American movements, the NWF’s efforts have been successful because of the commitment of individuals to support something they love – in this case, our nation’s wildlife. For example, thousands of wildlife enthusiasts have created certified wildlife habitats in their own backyards. Here’s what you can do to create such a habitat:

Food sources

Planting native plants or hanging feeders for butterflies, hummingbirds and squirrels is an easy way to make your habitat a five-star restaurant for wildlife. You can also stock feeders and incorporate plants with nuts, berries, nectar, suet or fruits.

Water source

Wildlife needs sources of clean water for drinking, bathing and reproduction. You’ll need one water source in your wildlife habitat, such as a natural pond, lake, river or spring, or a human-made feature such as a bird bath, butterfly puddling area or rain garden.

Cover

Wildlife need places to hide to feel safe from people, predators and weather. Native vegetation is a perfect cover for terrestrial wildlife, while structures such as birdhouses can attract specific bird species. A pond can double as a water source and home for fish and amphibians.

Places to raise young

Creating a wildlife habitat is about creating a place for the entire life cycle of a species, from courtship to mating to raising offspring. Many habitat features that serve as cover can double as locations where wildlife can raise their young.

Sustainable gardening

Use natural mulch, which conserves water and cuts down on weeds. Reduce chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These and other environmentally friendly practices will be more welcoming to wildlife and better for the planet.

Once you’ve created your habitat, you can have it certified by the National Wildlife Federation at www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife, which offers tips to create habitats that welcome wildlife. And in honor of the organization’s 75th anniversary, NWF will plant a tree for every yard certified in 2011.

So get started. There’s no time to lose when protecting America’s wildlife for generations to come.

– Courtesy of State Media