Christina Montoya Fiedler: If you live in the big city like I do, finding your own tree-laden, grassy sanctuary can be difficult. So when I heard it was possible to create your own certified, wildlife-friendly habitat, I jumped at the chance. Not only would it be a great project for my family, but it would provide the perfect opportunity to give back to the environment.

The best part? The National Wildlife Federation will send you a certificate of completion and authenticity if you do it right.

It's easy to do, and worth the time. Here's how:

A wildlife-friendly garden should do four things: supply water, provide food, create cover, and give animals a place to raise their young. We're not talking coyotes and mountain lions here, just your average non-threatening woodland creatures like squirrels, chipmunks, and birds, so not to fear.

With the right combination of shrubs, vegetation, fountains, and feeders, you have a wildlife sanctuary.

Here are some ideas on how to plan for each of the following areas:

•   Food Sources -- native plants that produce seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, or nectar
•   Water Sources -- birdbath, pond, water garden, or man-made stream
•   Places for Cover -- thicket, rock pile, or birdhouse
•   Places to Raise Young -- dense shrubs, native vegetation, nesting boxes, ponds

As with any environmentally-sound project, sustainable gardening is the key, so be sure to use mulch, compost, chemical-free fertilizer, and the elements to naturally water your greenery.

Get more information on how to create a National Wildlife Federation-certified Wildlife Sanctuary.

Christina Montoya Fiedler resides in Los Angeles, CA, with husband Andy and her son Joseph. She juggles baby and work from home as a freelance publicist and attributes her strong love for life and sense of humor to her loving familia.