There’s a house on my street with a lovely garden I view with envy. Even through this hot, dry summer it looked fresh and inviting. There’s no lawn to mow. I never saw a sprinkler or a hose and many of the shrubs and flowers are native plants. In the shade of a vine maple there’s a circle of pavers with a table and chairs. I dream of having a garden like it someday.

At the gate I saw a sign that said, “Backyard Wildlife Habitat.” That’s what our yards have in common. Though my yard isn’t half as beautiful, it has the basic requirements. I’ve noticed several other homes have the same sign.

Last summer when I was pulling weeds a woman approached and said it looked like I was “certifiable.” I thought she was referring to my mental state, but as it turned out she was promoting the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program. There’s an effort underway to restore habitat across the country. It started out focusing on one yard at a time, but now is aiming to get whole communities involved.

In my office I have a picture of Oak Harbor from the air. I imagine this is what it looks like for a migrating bird. In some parts of town “wildlife habitat” is reduced to a few small trees planted along the edge of a sea of pavement. If I were a bird where would I find water, food, shelter or a place to raise young? I study the map and see a few notable green spots, Freund Marsh, Fort Nugent Park or the wetland west of Goldie Road, but there’s a lot of development in between. The Community Wildlife Habitat program aims to connect the dots.

Susan Horton, the Island County Noxious Weed coordinator, knows her plants. She started promoting the Community Wildlife program at the Oak Harbor Sustainability Fair in 2008. Boy Scout Troop 449 got behind the program, too, enhancing wildlife habitat at Fort Nugent Park. Lydia and Phil Sikes, active Audubon members and owners of Whidbey Wild Birds, took the effort island-wide with support from Whidbey Audubon and Whidbey Watershed Stewards. Their goal is to get 500 yards certified as Backyard Wildlife Habitat. So far they’re almost halfway there.

What does it take to be certifiable? Just provide some basic needs for wildlife. Fortunately, their suggestions can make your yard care easier, more waterwise and earth friendly.

Number one, plant natives. Wild animals have been finding food and shelter among native plants for centuries. Number two, provide water. It could be a pond, a bird bath or an upside down Frisbee as long as the water is kept clean. Now how about a place to raise young? There are bat boxes, bee hives, bird houses and brush piles. How about a snag, a standing dead tree, which is like a critter condo for insects, birds, bats and other animals? Sustainable Gardening is another suggestion, using compost to fertilize instead of chemicals. Compost encourages worms and insects, which are the foundation of the food chain in your backyard.

The city of Oak Harbor is supporting this program by getting some of the city parks and the Municipal Shop certified as well. Mostad and Christensen’s, on Oak Harbor Road, was the first business to get certified. Schools and churches are also participating. And for a really eco-friendly yard, you can build a rain garden, designed to help slow and purify storm water run-off, which can also serve as Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

The National Wildlife Federation has information on their Web site to help you get started. Find out how to attract birds with specific feeders, butterflies, beneficial bats, bugs and bees with different plant species at a Backyard Wildlife Habitat workshop, Tuesday Sept. 15 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Public Works shop 1600 NE 16th Ave. Susan Horton and knowledgeable Audubon members, Steve and Martha Ellis, will share their expertise and enthusiasm. Call 720-6300 for more information.

Maribeth Crandell is Oak Harbor’s environmental educator.