I told myself I wanted my yard to be recognized as a bird sanctuary for all the right reasons. But two older ladies with clipboards and nature-ID phone apps offered me a more well-rounded perspective.

From first light to sun down, the land around my house is filled with near constant birdsong, filtering down from the tall pine trees, bursting from the tangled vines and dense shrubs along the street. A wildlife refuge certification sign at a local restaurant prompted me to look into recognit...