The need for restoring wildlife habitat to our landscapes has never been more keen.  

Bird populations are on the decline after decades of development and wholesale replacement of natural spaces with lawns and ornamental plants from other continents. It is time to restore healthy habitats to our wildlife for the benefit of every living thing. 

"For the first time in history, gardening has taken on a role that transcends the needs of the gardener. Like it or not, gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife. It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference. In this case, the 'difference' will be to the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America and the ecosystems that sustain them." ~ Douglas W. Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home

The Audubon at Home program was created to make a difference by supporting the efforts of property owners and managers to become better stewards of nature in your own outdoor spaces. It embraces the principles of the National Audubon Society’s Bird-Friendly Communities and promotes citizen participation in conserving and restoring local natural habitat and biodiversity.

Partnerships Make it Happen

The work of the Audubon At Home program is delivered through critical partnerships with regional volunteer conservation organizations:

Together, we are Audubon At Home.  

Audubon At Home also works closely with the following organizations:

Wildlife Sanctuary Program

The Wildlife Sanctuary Program brings trained naturalists together with property owners and managers on a mission to restore natural habitat. We offer information, on-site consultation and recommendations to help you establish and nurture sustainable natural habitat in your backyard, neighborhood, school, church, park or business in spaces that range from a small corner of your yard to many acres. Results-based sanctuary certification depends on the success of the habitat to attract and support wildlife.  The program seeks to expand wildlife habitat in our area and fosters appreciation for the value of native plants and all the wildlife that depend on them.

Put your property to work and enjoy observing the wildlife that comes to appreciate your efforts for the benefit of us all.  Learn about our Wildlife Sanctuary Program in the following pages.

Why are native plants so important?

Take a moment to watch this video of Douglas Tallamy on bringing nature home to your backyard with native plants.

Watch the AAH presentation Create Helpful Habitat with Native Planting recorded April 22, 2020.

If you’re not convinced yet, this brief article entitled Let’s Grow Native by Carol A. Heiser, Habitat Education Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, offers a concise case for the value of native landscaping. Article reprinted with permission from Virginia Wildlife Magazine, a publication of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

You can learn more about native plants and wildlife by exploring our online resources.