Benson Community Garden Earns National Wildlife Federation Certification, Cultivating a Greener Omaha

(Pictured) Jenny Goetzinger holding the new NWF certification plaque by the Benson Community Garden’s pollinator garden

Benson Community Garden has been officially recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat® by the National Wildlife Federation, one of the nation’s oldest and largest conservation organizations. The certification honors the garden’s efforts to support pollinators, protect biodiversity and promote hands-on environmental leadership in the heart of Omaha.

The National Wildlife Federation’s program recognizes individuals, schools, organizations and communities that create natural, sustainable habitats that support wildlife. To earn certification, spaces must provide essential elements for native species to thrive—such as food sources, clean water, shelter, and safe places to raise their young—while also using practices that conserve natural resources and protect the environment.

A plaque commemorating the certification has been installed at the garden entrance, highlighting its status as a habitat that benefits both the community and local ecosystems.

“The community garden was built from the ground up to show what’s possible—even in a small urban space,” said Jenny Goetzinger, Benson Community Garden coordinator. “This certification is a win not just for wildlife, but for the entire community.”

“Anyone, anywhere can restore wildlife habitat right in their own yards and communities,” said David Mizejewski, naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. “Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat is fun, easy and makes a real difference for neighborhood wildlife. It’s the perfect way to think globally and act locally and help birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife.”

The Benson Community Garden exemplifies the key principles at the core of the certification program and its own neighborhood mission:

• Biodiversity: Native plantings provide food and shelter for essential pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The garden prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides, creating a safe and thriving refuge for wildlife.
• Sustainable living: The garden promotes eco-friendly practices by composting garden waste, encouraging water-wise gardening, capturing rainwater, and using reclaimed materials. These efforts foster a shared ethic of low-impact, community-driven stewardship that residents can replicate in their own yards and spaces.
• Inspiration and outreach: From neighbors and school groups to nonprofit partners and small businesses, the garden encourages and helps others to create their own community gardens and pollinator-friendly spaces.

Founded in 2010, Benson Community Garden has become a vital part of Omaha’s historic Benson neighborhood, offering individuals and families space to grow healthy food, deepen community ties, and take action on behalf of the environment.

In addition to the community garden plots and pollinator garden, the space also features a landscaped, elevated area called the “Earth Stage” for lectures, live music concerts, neighborhood movie nights, and other events.