Going green with a backyard habitat!

Millions of people around the world celebrated Earth Day this weekend. It's a time to take a moment and think about what we're doing to keep the environment in good condition. That's especially important when we think about the fact that what we're doing now is what our children will have years from now. We're talking about things like conservation, recycling and being good stewards of the planet. All of these things we can do with our kids.

Today, we have an idea for you. It's something you can do in your own backyard. It's called the National Backyard Habitat Program. It's part of the National Wildlife Federation. The idea is to make your yard a place designed for all wildlife. Rebecca Bryant and her family are participating in the program. She says it's a great way to teach kids about the environment!

"it's always good for kids to get their hands in the dirt, to get unplugged from the TV and the games, to get dirty and be outside. It also just teaches them how they're a part of the environment," explained Rebecca.

To qualify, there are a couple of things you need to do. You need to have food for wildlife, which can be anything from berries to acorns to nectar from flowers. You also need to have some cover. It needs to be an area where wildlife can raise their young, so that would be things like bushes, trees or prickly plants. Your yard needs to have a source of water. It could be from a fountain or a bird bath. And, you need to minimize the chemicals you use in your yard.

Rebecca says it doesn't have to be complicated. You can qualify even if you're in an apartment with a balcony. But, it's a really neat way to teach our children about their environment, and what everything needs to survive.
To learn more about the program, click here .