The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, is pleased to recognize that Heritage Flower Farm in Waterford / Mukwonago has successfully created a Certified Wildlife Habitat® through its Garden for Wildlife program. NWF celebrates the efforts of Heritage Flower Farm to create a garden space that improves habitat for birds, butterflies, frogs and other wildlife by providing essential elements needed by all wildlife – natural food sources, clean water, cover and places to raise young. Certification also makes Heritage Flower Farm part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, a national effort to restore critical habitat for pollinators.
“Before we started Heritage Flower Farm the land was a hay field” according to owner Betty Adelman. Heritage Flower Farm gradually turned the hay field into multi-acre gardens growing hundreds of varieties of flowering plants attracting, feeding and providing habitat for bees, butterflies and birds. All the plants are heirlooms that provide more pollen and nectar than hybrids.
Many of the flowers are natives, the flowers that grew here for hundreds of years. “It shows that you can garden for wildlife as well as for beauty,” Adelman said. In addition to the flowers she planted many dozens of small trees. After more than a decade the small trees grew into tall ones and now she hears birds sing every morning walking the dog, Lincoln, to the far end of the land. In summer colorful butterflies flit from flower to flower. In fall birds crowd around eating seeds and in spring they devour the berries and fruits that last through winter. “We’re honored with this special recognition for nurturing wildlife and helping sustain the environment from the National Wildlife Federation.”
