Requires DEP to establish "private wildlife habitat certification program"; creates affirmative defense against municipal nuisance ordinances for properties certified under the program.

S 527 requires New Jersey's Environmental Protection Department to create a program certifying private properties as wildlife habitats. Property owners must obtain certification from an approved entity (like a conservation group or landscaping company) and file it with their municipality before altering land to create the habitat. This certification provides a legal defense if a local government later claims the habitat violates nuisance ordinances. The program mandates the use of native plants and requires certifications to be renewed every two years. It directly affects property owners seeking to establish wildlife habitats without facing municipal penalties.