Fifteen years ago when I first heard of the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, I thought that I did not want to put up a sign. Then I realized that I did not need a sign, or even a formal membership; I was already maintaining a wildlife habitat.

At different times, when we had one- or five-acre properties, we had deer as well as raccoons, squirrels, and many, many birds—including great blue herons and migrating geese. We did not host an eagle, although friends did. We probably had animals of which we were not aware (as they quietly go about their lives in their own civilizations, they tend to ignore humans). We planted native flowering and fruiting plants, as well as commercial ones. Bees and dragonflies flew among them. We also had slugs, which I was happy to encourage our ducks to eat.

When we downsized to a small plot, one of the first things we installed was a birdbath close to small, security-giving shrubs and near a fence post where birds could perch to fluff their feathers dry. Now, even on a balcony, I have small plants in small pots. House finches sit on the iron railing, hummingbirds sip sugar syrup, and a pair of chickadees steal moss for their nest.
Doing all of this had little cost (except the birdbath) and took no extra work, but gave huge returns in pleasure. I was recently sent a link to the Certified Wildlife Habitat website,  which I have included here. Perhaps I should have joined.