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October 2026-We are proud to announce that Highland Park has been recertified as a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation for a 4th year. Thank you to everyone who has certified their spaces and come out to learn about the benefits and joys of native gardening.

Habitat Highland Park was formed in 2022 to help our city earn Community Wildlife Habitat Certification by the National Wildlife Federation and we reached our goal in only 2 years! Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, residents, community groups and our park district, we have planted enough habitat waystations throughout our city to help wildlife and pollinators safely live and travel all over Highland Park. Keep scrolling to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.

Habitat Highland Park Steering Committee

The Habitat HP Steering Committee is seeking new members!  Our group meets on Zoom once every 6 weeks to discuss increasing the number of pollinator-friendly gardens in Highland Park. Our goal is to maintain our NWF Community Wildlife Habitat Certification.  Steering Committee participation involves sharing ideas to increase pollinator awareness and supporting events that help Highland Parkers learn how to plant and certify pollinator-friendly gardens (even small ones, in pots!)

Join Our Garden Tour Team

After many highly successful Native Garden Tours we are committed to offering this popular event annually, but we need your help! We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to help us;

  • identify new yards and contact potential hosts(4-5 per year), showcasing a variety of gardening styles
  • coordinate day-of volunteers
  • promote event through social media and other outlets
  • take photos of host sites before and during the event
  • welcome guests to host sites
  • and many more opportunities

If you are interested in learning more please email us.

Fall Gardening Tips that Support Local Ecosystems-University of Illinois Extension, Everyday Environment

Fall is a crucial season for all of us to let nature take over and do its job without our intervention, here’s an overview of how you can help:

  • Leave the leaves
  • Don’t Pile Leaves in the Street
  • Don’t Prune
  • Don’t Cut Back Perennials
  • Add Mulch
  • Water Deeply
  • Plant, Transplant, and Divide Plants
  • Ask: Is my garden still blooming?
  • Ask: Do I have seeds and berries for overwintering birds?

Read the full post here.

Highland Park Certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat by National Wildlife Federation on October 16, 2024

What does this honor mean? It signifies that Highland Park has established a network of pollinator-friendly gardens throughout the town and earned over 400 “points” from NWF acknowledging that local gardeners have developed native plant gardens to protect bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and a wealth of other important species. NWF wildlife garden habitats share the following characteristics:  

*Native plants and seeds are present and provide food eaten by a variety of wildlife

*Water is available, either through streams or ponds or through birdbaths

*Places to shelter are available in or near the certified gardens  

*Safe places to raise young are available in or near the gardens  

*Sustainable gardening is practiced by maintaining gardens in natural ways to ensure soil, air, and water stay healthy and clean 

Thanks to two grants from the Rotary Club of Highland Park and through collaboration of the Park District of Highland Park, the City of Highland Park, Go Green Highland Park, and the League of Women Voters of Highland Park-Highwood, a grassroots initiative called Habitat Highland Park was born. The group was founded in 2022 to pursue NWF certification. 

Participants in the Community Wildlife Habitat initiative landscape and garden with wildlife in mind. They promote the use of native trees and plants, work to reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and chemicals, conserve water, and integrate wildlife-friendly practices into sustainability plans and park master plans. Through the NWF program, communities enhance and restore corridors of wildlife habitat in urban and suburban areas nationwide. At the same time, they can connect to existing local work around climate resiliency, biodiversity, community resiliency, urban forestry, water conservation, and beautification. 

Habitat Highland Park encourages all residents to add native trees, shrubs and plants to your property or community space. Certify your yard or garden with the National Wildlife Federation, it’s easier than you think!  The annual Native Plant Garden Tours have been our most popular way to share the beauty and importance of suburban habitat and we love organizing them, but without our wonderful volunteers is can’t happen. Please email us if you are interested in leading or supporting our Tour team. 

The City of Highland Park officially acknowledged NWF’s certification of HP as a Community Wildlife Habitat through a Mayoral Proclamation presented during the City Council meeting on January 27, 2025.

Highland Park Certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat by National Wildlife Federation

Habitat HP Proud to be named City’s 2025 Environmental Award Recipient
Habitat HP was selected by the Mayor and City Council to receive the City’s 2025 Environmental Award, which recognizes people and organizations that have made outstanding positive contributions to the environment in our city. Our group was praised for “their ability to collaborate with a diverse group of organizations and their active presence in advancing sustainability recognition opportunities for residents in the city.” 

  • Stupey Cabin grounds before garden installation
  • Stupey garden progress

With the blessing of the Highland Park Historical Society, assistance from the Park District of Highland Park, generous funding support from the Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood, the Stupey Cabin site was cleared by volunteers starting on May 1, 2022 (Arbor Day Rain Date).  Planting one “woodland/shade” and two “sunny” demonstration gardens took place in the weeks following.  Thanks to Habitat HP Steering Committee member Chris Wren and Sue Becker for the designs and plant selections you see at left.  Pictured: “before” clearing (photo by Anne Loshbough), HP Historical Society President Rob Rotering and Chris Wren (designs by Wren and Becker; photo by Bryna Gamson). (Click on desired image to stop rotation and enlarge.)

Habitat HP Blog

Get Involved-Certify Your Yard

Interested in learning more? Find information on the community certification program and its benefits at this site. Most properties in our town are capable of meeting the 4 basic elements required for habitat registration. Habitat Highland Park is eager to welcome all residents and organizations interested in participating in this initiative. Register your wildlife habitat here.

Contact us if you’d like to be on the Habitat Team or  help plan our Native Plant Garden Tours.

Current Volunteer Opportunities