Hello nature enthusiasts! Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast. We're thrilled to have listeners from 107 countries, all 50 states, and our beloved Carolinas joining us today. Thanks to your incredible support, we're proud to share that we've won the Best of the Weeklies podcast award.   This week, Debbie and Laurie delve deeper into the fascinating world of certifying your natural wildlife habitat. Join us as we explore the essential topics of Cover and Places to Raise Young. Wildlife relies on these crucial elements for survival, offering shelter from harsh weather and predators, as well as safe spaces for nurturing their young.   Did you know that North Carolina boasts over 14,000 Certified Wildlife Habitats, contributing to the impressive total of over 300,000 across the United States? Discover more about creating a haven for wildlife in your own backyard in this illuminating episode!   If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.   We start this episode by talking about creating wildlife habitats. That initial episode of Creating Wildlife Habitats is still in the top three listened episodes for us. These principles have overlapped with almost every episode we've had. It's a really good guiding network for us to keep in mind.   Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.   Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.   Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.   Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.   While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company  in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market  this Saturday morning.