Getting Certified
Landowners that practice good environmental stewardship and conservation of local resources are the heart of Conservation@Home and Conservation@Work. We award each Conservation@Home and Conservation@Work property a sign, identifying its certification as a wildlife haven and environmentally friendly landscape. Whether it’s creating a butterfly or rain garden with native plants, using organic fertilizers and pesticides, or removing invasive vegetation, every little action we accomplish on our own properties works toward our greater goal of cleaning up our water, providing natural habitat and creating healthy landscapes for people and wildlife.
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Certification Steps for Conservation@Home
Step 1: If you are interested in making your property a Conservation@Home certified landscape, complete our interest form.
View the checklist in Spanish here.
Step 3: If your yard is a strong candidate for certification, we’ll set up a site visit. Those wanting information or advice on how they may get involved or improve their property will receive appropriate literature by mail or email, and sometimes a site visit can be arranged.
Step 4: Once you’ve had the chance to show off your native plantings, the water conservation practices you’ve employed and the other ways you are managing your property for the benefit of nature to our staff, they’ll let you know if you quality for certification. If you do, you’ll get a yard sign signifying your participation in the program and recognizing your efforts to create an environmentally friendly landscape. The requested donation for the program is $25.00 for current members of The Conservation Foundation. For non-members, a $50.00 donation will award participation in the Conservation@Home program and includes a one-year membership to The Conservation Foundation.
Certification Steps for Conservation@Work
Step 1: If you are interested in making your property a Conservation@Work certified landscape, contact Jim Kleinwachter at The Conservation Foundation for more information at 630-428-4500, Ext. 115 or email him.
Step 2: Jim or another member of our Conservation@Home staff will conduct an initial survey over the phone, based on the Conservation@Work Certification Criteria Checklist.
Step 3: If your property is a strong candidate for certification, we’ll set up a site visit. Those wanting information or advice on how they may get involved or improve their property will receive appropriate literature by mail or email, and sometimes a site visit can be arranged.
Step 4: Once you’ve had the chance to show off your native plantings, the water conservation practices you’ve employed and the other ways you are managing your property for the benefit of nature to our staff, they’ll let you know if you quality for certification. If you do, you’ll get a yard sign signifying your participation in the program and recognizing your efforts to create an environmentally friendly landscape. The requested donation for the program is $300 for businesses and organizations.
Need professional help? Check out some of the professional resources we recommend.
Not sure where to start?
We're here to help!
Whether you are just starting out or are ready to be certified, we’re here to help! Contact us at gonative@theconservationfoundation.org for advice on creating environmentally-friendly yards and gardens.
