The Certified Wildlife Habitat program is a national effort that helps people restore habitats for local wildlife and insects by implementing sources of food, water and shelter in their own yards. Iowa recently reached 2,000 habitats across the state through the Iowa Wildlife Federation (IWF), with a majority in Des Moines and more popping up in smaller towns.
The habitat restoration program was created by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) in 1973, and it’s been a part of the IWF’s programming for about four years.
Ryan Smith, executive director of the IWF, said wildlife is struggling to maintain habitats in Iowa due to rising urban and agricultural development. More development in these areas means more land is being used up…