Author: Teri Nallett-Carmine

  While we know there are many benefits to incorporating trees into our landscape, many of us simply enjoy trees for their beauty.  Some people enjoy the birds they attract while others actually enjoy the antics of the squirrels scampering through their branches.  We enjoy the immediate rewards from the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze, the shade we enjoy on a hot summer day, and the contributions for that budding compost pile to the more far-reaching concerns for possible climate change. But, do you know the monetary value of the benefits provided by any particular tree in your landscape?  If not, you can use the Arbor Day Foundation’s “National Tree Benefits Calculator” http://www.arborday.org/calculator to easily determine the economic and environmental benefits provided by any tree in your yard. What do you need to know?  You will need to enter your zip code, select a tree species from…

National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat Certification explained plus links to other backyard certifications and conservation sites.