Getting Certified
Individuals and organizations that practice good environmental stewardship and conservation of local resources are the heart of Conservation@Home, Conservation@Work, and Conservation@School. We award each Conservation@ 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, reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, or removing invasive vegetation, every little action we accomplish in our own green spaces works toward our greater goal of cleaning up our water, providing natural habitat, and creating healthy landscapes for people and wildlife.
Certification Steps for Conservation@Home
Our Conservation@Home yard consultations request form is now open, though it may be a few weeks before our team starts conducting yard visits dependent on weather and when our native plants have begun to emerge. Happy Spring!
Step 2: A member of our Conservation@Home staff will connect with you to schedule a yard consultation where you can lead them on a tour of your yard or green space. They can answer any questions you may have and provide recommendations on how to create a more sustainable landscape around your home.
Download our Conservation@Home Certification Checklist to review the criteria for certification.
View the checklist in Spanish here.
Step 3: 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 green space for the benefit of nature to our staff, they’ll assess 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 who will then be added to the Conservation@Home program. 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.
Need professional help? Check out some of the professional resources we recommend.
Certification Steps for Conservation@Work
Step 1: If you are interested in making your property a Conservation@Work certified landscape, contact [email protected].
Step 2: A member of our Conservation@Home staff will conduct an initial survey over the phone, based on the Conservation@Work Certification Criteria Checklist.
Step 3: We’ll set up a site visit to assess if your property is a strong candidate for Conservation@Work certification or to help provide recommendations on what steps to take in order to eventually achieve certification.
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.
Certification Steps for Conservation@School
Step 1: We love working with schools to create wildlife habitats right outside their windows. Head to our Conservation@School program section to learn more on how TCF can potentially partner with you on your transforming your school grounds.
Step 2: If you have already created a native plant and pollinator haven on your school grounds and are interested in having your schoolyard Conservation@School certified, email Beth Peluse at [email protected].
Step 3: We’ll set up a site visit to your school grounds to review what has been completed and provide suggestions for any additional ideas for implementation.
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, 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.
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 DeepRoots@theconservationfoundation.org for advice on creating environmentally friendly yards and gardens.