View some of the gardens that have already certified

Certificate

Sample Butterfly Garden Certificate, suitable for framing

Frequently Asked Questions:

How big or small does my garden have to be in order to certify? All garden spaces that provide three different native nectar plants and three different native caterpillar food plants can be certified. No matter how small your location, it can help provide important butterfly habitat.

Requiring only three nectar plants and three caterpillar food plants does not seem like a very rigorous requirement. Why not require certified gardens to include more plants?NABA encourages everyone to plant a garden that will enrich the native habitat for butterflies and other pollinators. By starting with a few basic butterfly garden plants, everyone can certify a butterfly garden irregardless where they live or how much garden space they have.

NABA's Butterfly Garden Certification Program

To join NABA Butterfly Garden Certification Program, you need to create or modify your existing garden to meet the following requirements:

  • At least three different native caterpillar food plants must be grown, preferably more than one plant of each selected species
  • At least three different native butterfly nectar sources must be grown, preferably more than one plant of each selected species
  • The use of pesticides is discouraged. Pesticides can kill butterflies as well as other important pollinators.

A butterfly garden supplies food and shelter for all stages of a butterfly's life. Providing caterpillar food plants, butterfly nectar plants and about half a day's worth of sun are the basic elements of a butterfly garden.

When you certify your butterfly garden with NABA's Butterfly Garden Certification Program you demonstrate your commitment to promoting habitat for butterflies as well as other pollinators.

If your new or existing butterfly garden meets the requirements, you may either print, fill out, and mail

NABA's Butterfly Garden Certification Application

or

Apply for garden certification online.

Upon completion, you will receive a NABA Butterfly Garden and Habitat certificate (suitable for framing) along with the most recent issue of NABA's publication, Butterfly Gardener.

An institutional rate of $25 is required if your organization needs additional assistance in processing the application. Institutional certifications receive an additional two back issues of Butterfly Gardener.

Once certified, you will also be eligible to purchase a weatherproof Garden Certification sign to display in your garden, pictured below.

Outdoor weatherproof sign

NABA's outdoor weatherproof sign measures 7 inches tall by 10 inches wide. Constructed of rigid plastic with two holes centered top and bottom for attaching to a stake or fence (stake and mounting hardware not included) . Please note that colors represented on computer monitors do not always reflect the true colors printed on the sign.

Although the colors in the outdoor sign should remain vibrant for a number of years, our manufacturer recommends placing the sign where it will not receive direct, intense sunlight (at least for part of the day). They also recommend taking the sign inside for the winter if you live in a climate with freezing temperatures.

Signs may be ordered when applying for garden certification or any time during the actual certification period. New and existing NABA members who certify their gardens and purchase an outdoor sign at the same time are eligible for a $5 discount ($35 for individuals, $45 for institutions).