Louisiana Certified
Habitat Program

NPI and the Louisiana Native Plant Society invite residents, businesses, schools, and public institutions with outdoor spaces to promote and preserve our natural heritage with the Louisiana Certified Habitat Program. The program awards signs to habitats rich in native plants and encourages neighbors to grow native and learn more about best practices for gardens that provide habitat for the pollinators and other creatures that keep Louisiana beautiful and ecologically productive. More than 300 properties have been certified statewide with over 100 in the Greater New Orleans area. Many people choose to add their property to the Lousiana Certified Habitat Program map.

Habitat certification levels are determined by the number of native plant species or percentage of native plant species on a property: bronze level is 25 native species or 25% native plants, silver is 50 native species or 50% native plants, and gold is 75% native species or 75% native plants. Because Louisiana Certified Habitats serve as models for the community, properties must be in compliance with local ordinances regarding vegetative growth and maintenance of landscape to be certified. Certification includes a nine inch by 12 inch metal yard sign citing the habitat level; levels can be upgraded for free at any time.

NPI certifies Louisiana’s southeast region; parishes include Ascension, Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, New Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, and Washington. There is no minimum acreage requirement. All properties are eligible for certification.