Signs

Signs don’t always work, as this sign on our front door proves, but, on the other hand, most of our packages are indeed delivered to our side door!

I’m just as certain that some people ignore the messages on our signs, at least some people think about the messages on our other yard signs and take action.

One of Wild Ones’ recommendations for increasing a habitat garden’s acceptance in the neighborhood is to follow the BRASH principles (Border, Respect the rights of others, Advertise, Start small, and Humanize). “Advertise” explains why you’re creating a different type of landscape. (Read more about the rest of the principles …)

These purchased signs are professionally-designed, durable, and have remained attractive through the years.

We think they’re worth purchasing since they’re well-made, and especially because our purchases help support these organizations.

This is the sign we purchased from Beyond Pesticides.

We purchased the Wildlife Tree sign from The Cavity Conservation Initiative.

People DO read it, and hopefully it explains what they’ve probably always wondered as they’ve walked by over the years: “Why haven’t those people cut down that dead tree?”

You can purchase it on their online store (and learn lots more about how and why to leave “dead” trees).

We purchased this sign from Wild Ones. It’s not a certification program, and anyone can display it.

NOTE: Wild Ones signs are currently unavailable (as of January 2024).

NOTE: As of January 2024, this is no longer available. Check Wild Ones at a later date.

Wild Ones also has a butterfly garden sign you can buy AFTER you certify your yard.

The nice thing is that if your butterfly garden is already certified by Monarch Watch as a Monarch Waystation or if it’s certified by the North American Butterfly Association, it’s pre-qualified.

After becoming certified as a Monarch Waystation, we were eligible to purchase this sign from MonarchWatch. Not only does it advertise why we are planting milkweed and nectar plants, but it also is a public education message to let people know that milkweed is essential for monarchs. We do see people reading our signs, so we hope we’re helping educate people about the importance of milkweed.

We purchased these three signs from The Xerces Society both because we wanted to explain our habitat garden practices to passers-by, but also because we want to support all the good work Xerces does.

They’re a little pricey, but they’re well-made and last many years based on our experience with our first sign (below). We donate frequently to Xerces anyway since it’s one of our favorite non-profits, so it was just like getting the signs for free!

I registered my property to be on the Pollinator Pathway and then was eligible to buy this sign.

My whole yard is pollinator-friendly, but I put this sign at the end of my hellstrip.

Of course, my “pathway” is a dead-end since only my yard is included, but in some parts of NYS and in other states, there are actual pathways.

This is the Pollinator Partnership sign I have at the other end of the hellstrip.

This was our first sign, purchased shortly after we became certified as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

The name of the program has since been changed to Certified Wildlife Habitat and the current sign is different, too. (You can also now purchase some really snazzy wall or yard plaques, but they’re very expensive.)