Certified Backyard Wildlife Sactuaries Click image to enlarge

Spread the word to help make 10,000 by 2010

As of July 2009, the tally of properties currently certified by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as Backyard Wildlife Sanctuaries across the state is 8,507.

Of those, 7,317 or about 86 percent, are in western Washington, where of course more of the state’s cities and towns lie in the Puget Sound area from Bellingham to Vancouver. 

The other 1,190 or about 14 percent, are in eastern Washington, mostly in the state’s second largest metropolitan area -- Spokane –- with some in the Tri-Cities, Yakima and Wenatchee areas.

Since Washington’s Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program began in 1985, a total of 11,101 properties have been enrolled, 9,819 on the westside and 1,282 on the eastside (with ownership changes reducing today’s total.)

To meet our “10,000 by 2010” campaign goal, another 1,493 properties need to be enrolled in the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program.

If you’re currently a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary manager, help spread the word to your neighbors, family, and friends about helping and enjoying wildlife on their own property.

If you’re not in the program, apply on-line today at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/backyard/application.pdf  and put yourself on our map