Would you like to learn how to make your yard, garden, or porch a healthy habitat for native plants, birds, butterflies, and other wildlife? Are you interested in being part of a movement to restore crucial biodiversity to your home landscape? The Nature at Home program is here to help!

Apply now to have Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers visit your property to identify native and invasive plants and share simple practices to better equip your growing spaces to enable pollinators to flourish. If your property doesn’t currently qualify for certification as a wildlife-friendly habitat, we will recommend steps to help you move in that direction. When your property meets the qualifications you will receive an attractive Nature at Home sign to display to help spread the word about what we can do to restore our local ecosystem. If you are not interested in certification and simply want to chat about your garden with knowledgeable volunteers, we are happy to do that.

How it Works

Nature at Home Ambassadors are Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers with specialized training in native plants, local ecology, and research-based practices for restoring our natural ecosystems to benefit people, birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

When you participate in the program, a team of Nature at Home Ambassadors will join you for a pre-scheduled, one-hour site visit to your property. During this consultation, volunteers will help you identify native and invasive species while discussing simple ways to improve your garden’s health. Following the visit, you will receive a folder of curated resources and a detailed, written report specific to your landscape within two weeks.

If your property meets the necessary qualifications for a wildlife-friendly habitat, it can be certified on the spot. If not, your personalized report will provide clear recommendations to help you move toward certification, with a follow-up visit available within two years at no additional cost. For those who aren't interested in formal certification, our Ambassadors are also happy to simply chat about your garden and share their knowledge to help you reach your personal gardening goals.

How to Apply

Ready to restore your local ecosystem? You can begin the process by applying online or viewing our program brochure for more details. Once your application is received, we will coordinate with you to schedule your site visit. Once certified, you will receive an attractive Nature at Home sign to display on your property, helping to spread the word and inspire your neighbors to join the movement.