Whether you live in a log cabin or a condo, you can make a place for wildlife right at your backdoor. It's easier than you think. There are three basic steps to creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.
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The first thing you need to do is identify the habitat elements that already exist in your yard or garden space. You may be surprised to find you're already providing some habitat for wildlife!
Native plants that provide food and cover are the backbone of every habitat. Make a list of all the plants in your yard, including everything from trees to wildflowers.
Try to determine which of your plants are native to your area and which are not. Which existing plants might provide food such as seeds, fruits, nuts, and nectar? Which plants might provide safe cover or nesting places?
Do you have any dead or dying trees? If so, don't reach for the chainsaw! Dying or dead trees are excellent habitat features. They are excavated and used by woodpeckers, flying squirrels, and a multitude of insects and cavity-nesting birds, such as owls, bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens.
Determine how your yard might already provide water for wildlife. This could be in the form of a pond, water garden, stream, vernal pool, or birdbath.
Make a list of any structures that provide habitat elements, such as bird feeders, nesting structures, rock walls, or log piles.
Finally, consider the physical features of your yard, such as sun and wind exposure and soil conditions.
Native plants that provide food and cover are the backbone of every habitat. Make a list of all the plants in your yard, including everything from trees to wildflowers.
Try to determine which of your plants are native to your area and which are not. Which existing plants might provide food such as seeds, fruits, nuts, and nectar? Which plants might provide safe cover or nesting places?
Do you have any dead or dying trees? If so, don't reach for the chainsaw! Dying or dead trees are excellent habitat features. They are excavated and used by woodpeckers, flying squirrels, and a multitude of insects and cavity-nesting birds, such as owls, bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens.
Determine how your yard might already provide water for wildlife. This could be in the form of a pond, water garden, stream, vernal pool, or birdbath.
Make a list of any structures that provide habitat elements, such as bird feeders, nesting structures, rock walls, or log piles.
Finally, consider the physical features of your yard, such as sun and wind exposure and soil conditions.
All species have four basic requirements for survival. These are food, water, cover, and places to raise young.
Here are some ideas for practicing resource conservation in your backyard:
- FoodSelect plants that provide natural foods such as fruits, seeds, nuts, and nectar. Choose your plants to provide food for backyard wildlife throughout the year.
Native perennials and annuals provide nectar for both butterflies and hummingbirds. As one program participant says, "Hummingbirds like ice-cream cones and butterflies like pizza." This is because hummingbirds tend to visit tube-shaped red flowers, such as Bee Balm, Wild Columbine, and our native honeysuckles. Butterflies prefer flat or clustered flowers, such as Purple Coneflower, phlox, and zinnias.
By choosing native plants suited to the site conditions, little maintenance, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or additional watering will be necessary for the plants to thrive. This all adds up to time and cost savings as well as a healthier habitat for you, your family, and the wildlife that inhabit your yard.
Supplemental feeders can provide nectar for hummingbirds in the summer months and a variety of seed (sunflower, niger, safflower, and millet) for other birds throughout the year. Keep in mind that bird feeders should only be used as a supplement to natural food provided by native plants.
- WaterWildlife need water for drinking, bathing, and, in some cases, breeding.
Water can be supplied in a birdbath, a small pond, a recirculating waterfall, or a shallow dish. If you're lucky enough to have a natural pond, stream, vernal pool, or other wetland on your property, make sure to preserve or restore it as these are excellent aquatic habitats.
A small pond set into the ground provides water for drinking and bathing, as well as cover and reproductive areas for small fish, insects, amphibians, and reptiles.
(Habitat Project: Build a pond)
However you decide to provide water, make sure you do so year round. This can easily be done with a thermostatically controlled birdbath heater to provide water during subfreezing weather when the need for water is critical.
- CoverWhen choosing your plants, make sure to include at least one good clump of evergreen trees and shrubs to provide year-round protective cover from weather and predators. Good choices are juniper, hollies, and live oaks, as they provide food as well as cover.
You should also plant deciduous shrubs to offer effective summer cover for nesting and escape from predators.
Rock, log, and mulch piles also offer good cover. Small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and a great variety of insects and other small animals find homes in these structures, which are easily constructed.
(Habitat Hint: Log pile)
- Places to Raise YoungEvergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs provide nesting areas for birds. Dead and dying trees (called "snags") provide nesting sites for owls, flying squirrels, and other cavity-nesters.
Rabbits, shrews, mice, snakes, and salamanders lay their eggs or raise young under boughs of plants as well as in the rock, log, or mulch piles.
Nest boxes for bluebirds, chickadees, wrens, and purple martins can be placed in your backyard.
Aquatic animals, such as frogs, toads, newts, dragonflies, and other insects, deposit their eggs in ponds, vernal pools, and other wetlands.
Butterflies require "host" plants that serve as food sources for butterflies during their larval (caterpillar) stage. Butterflies almost invariably lay their eggs on the host plant preferred by the caterpillar, so make sure to include some of the host plants in your habitat.
For more details on attracting wildlife to your backyard, click here.
Here are some ideas for practicing resource conservation in your backyard:
- Plant native plants suited to your region and do not plant any invasive exotics (non-native plants).
- Establish a backyard wetland or drainage buffer area to filter storm water and limit runoff.
- Capture roof rainwater for use in planted areas.
- Use mulch to conserve soil moisture and cut down on weeding time.
- Use a drip soaker hose instead of a sprinkler if watering is needed to help your plants become established.
- Eliminate chemical use in your yard.
- Control pests by organic means. Better yet, let nature take its course and encourage beneficial insects (e.g., ladybug, praying mantis), birds, bats, and other insect eaters.
- Reduce or eliminate your lawn area to cut down on mowing, watering, and general maintenance. For more information on resource conservation, click here.
Already meet the requirements for certification? Visit the National Wildlife Federation and learn more about certifying your yard online today!
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