If you have a place at your home that provides food, water, shelter and safety for wildlife, the National Wildlife Federation wants to name you a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Over 400,000 gardeners across America have been certified by the NWF, and it's all part of a campaign to get 1 million gardeners to be part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge to help restore critical habitat for pollinators (like bees) in peril. Learn more at nwf.org.

It's not hard to maintain a lush, green lawn and to do it without the aid of chemical herbicides or fertilizers. One of the easiest ways to remove invasive weeds like dandelion is to use a chemical-free alternative called corn gluten. Not only does it kill weed seeds, it's also so safe that after application, pets and people can play on the lawn. Corn gluten is a byproduct of cornstarch and corn syrup production and is non-polluting, so homes near waterways like lakes and streams won't risk polluting water by using it.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the biggest culprits of water pollution is runoff from homes. The source? Impervious surfaces like cement, which directs water onto roads and rivers, which then picks up toxic chemicals, dirt, trash and disease. Choose wood decking and interlocking bricks and paver stones for walkways instead of concrete. This allows water to drain into the soil. And if you can redirect downspouts away from driveways and onto grassy areas, that also helps prevent unnecessary water runoff.