Wildlife Sanctuary Program

Joe-pye Weed with swallowtails. Photo: Sheryl Pollock

Creating Wildlife Habitat, One Property at a Time

The Wildlife Sanctuary Program is a conservation project of the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance to promote citizen participation in conserving and restoring local natural habitat and biodiversity on their own property.

The largest volume of acreage available for conservation and restoration of healthy green space in northern Virginia is where we live, work and play. The Wildlife Sanctuary Program offers free ambassador visits to help you make a plan to create wildlife habitat on your property and create a certified Wildlife Sanctuary.

Request a Site Visit

What does it mean to conserve and restore habitat?

Our ambassadors can help you see your property differently: from the perspective of its value to wildlife.

Once you know what birds, pollinators and other wildlife need, you can take action to ensure those things are present to support them and take the first steps toward increasing biodiversity on your property. Your plan will include things like:

identifying and removing invasive plants that may be outcompeting native plants
planting native plants that wildlife needs
exploring pesticide-free options for mosquito control
reducing lawn coverage
leaving the leaves

…and more. Take the Healthy Yard Pledge and learn how to get started with the Wildlife Sanctuary Program below.

Painted Lady butterfly on native Aster. Photo: Rusty Moran

Create Your Wildlife Sanctuary: Where to Begin

Our program covers Arlington/City of Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier, and Rappahannock counties. If you are not in one of these locations, visit this page for support in other areas of Virginia.

Not in Virginia? Start with your state’s native plant society or check out Homegrown National Park for resources.

Step 1: Take the Healthy Yard Pledge

Start the process by taking the Healthy Yard Pledge to:

Reduce pesticide and fertilizer use – No broad-spectrum spraying for mosquitoes
Remove invasive non-native plants
Conserve water and protect water quality
Plant species native to our area
Reduce lawn coverage area
Leave the leaves in non-lawn areas
Reduce hazards to birds and other wildlife, such as
- Keep cats indoors
- Guard against human-made hazards like window collisions, light and noise pollution, poisonous and glue pest traps, and plastic netting

The application acts as your worksheet as you create your habitat. Check out our Creating Wildlife Habitat page to learn about the habitat features and practices that make a healthy habitat.

Our Ambassadors are here to assist you with recommendations specific to your property with special focus on increasing biodiversity with native plants. The Wildlife Sanctuary Program is powered by the passion of volunteer Ambassadors. Contact the Coordinator in your county to request a visit.

Step 2: Attract 10 Sanctuary Species

A safe space, water, and food from native plants will attract wildlife to your habitat. We “let the animals decide” about the quality of the habitat. The key to certification is the observed use of the property by 10 out of our targeted sanctuary species/species groups of wildlife listed as needing assistance in our area due to loss of habitat. Visit our Sanctuary Species page to see the list and start observing.

Step 3: Complete and submit your application

When you have met the requirements outlined in the application for habitat features and healthy yard practices and recorded the observation of at least 10 Sanctuary Species, you are ready to submit your application. Once approved you will receive your certificate and information on how to order your Certified Wildlife Sanctuary sign to display and spread the word to others. We are confident that as your habitat matures your appreciation for wildlife will continue to grow.

Ready to get started? Request a Wildlife Sanctuary Program ambassador visit to help you evaluate your property and lay out your options.

request a visit

Let the Animals Decide

You can make a difference and take pride in certifying your property as a Wildlife Sanctuary.

A volunteer Wildlife Sanctuary Program Ambassador will visit your property to advise on habitat improvements you can make, and later, to certify your yard as a Wildlife Sanctuary. When the animals show up – and they will in response to your efforts – you can apply for certification as a Wildlife Sanctuary. Our motto is, “Let the animals decide.”

Certified Wildlife Sanctuary with sign. Photo: Alice Cisternino

Want to Get More Involved with the Wildlife Sanctuary Program?

The Wildlife Sanctuary Program is a volunteer-based initiative drawing from trained Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners. Contact us to learn more about this rewarding program.

Already a Wildlife Sanctuary Ambassador? Log in here.

Certified Wildlife Sanctuaries

Every yard counts! As properties become certified Wildlife Sanctuaries, we register the sanctuary and capture associated information including location, acreage, property type and jurisdiction to display the results with our GIS Mapping Application.

We are working to preserve the natural heritage of our dynamic region one property at a time. As of June 2025, there are 1,222 properties on 9,090 acres. Check out our progress and filter on different parameters by launching the interactive map application below.

View our Interactive Map