greenliving
use water to bathe, clean their food or breed. A lake, pond or wetland can be the most exciting element in a wild- life garden, because of the wildlife it attracts. Water supplies can be supple- mented with birdbaths or mini-ponds. Even shallow saucers of water placed on the ground or low-lying puddle areas will serve as welcome water sources for some wildlife.
GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE
by Betsy S. Franz
flies or the joyful music of songbirds or a frog chorus. Some people love to sit and watch the playful antics of squirrels scampering through the trees. Whatever the reason or season, America’s garden- ers and backyard enthusiasts are learn- ing that one of the most enjoyable ways to take care of their share of the planet is to create a wildlife-friendly landscape surrounding their home. It is hard to deny the magic that
F
wildlife adds to a domestic landscape. Providing hardy habitat for garden creatures allows us to help the environ- ment while granting close-up views of nature that can restore a childlike sense of wonder in anyone fortunate enough to visit the private, peaceable kingdom of which we are the caretakers. Most experts list the three most ba-
sic elements necessary for any wildlife- friendly landscape as food, water and shelter. Note that shelter is not synony- mous with abode, such as a birdhouse or bunny hut. When it comes to wild- life, we need to think of the complete picture and ensure “safety first.” For ex- ample, luring wildlife to a garden that contains pesticides or wandering house pets can do more harm than good. The goal is to provide refuge, a place that
30 Knoxville
or me, it was my first glimpse of a hummingbird that did it. For oth- ers, it may be the beauty of butter-
provides nourishing, restful and safe shelter for visiting wildlife.
Shelter: Adding natural elements to the landscape provides the best shelter. Dense trees and shrubs make excellent nesting sites and cover for birds and small mammals. Prune with caution. Rock piles, brush piles and dense ground cover also provide protection for reptiles, amphibians and ground birds. Of course, wildlife areas are no place for manmade chemicals or wan- dering pets. Food Sources: Vegetation plays multiple roles. Plants can be both host to eggs and larval foods for butterflies; produce food sources such as acorns, nuts, berries and seeds for various wild- life; or attract insects that are food for birds, reptiles or frogs. Native plants are the best choice
for local wildlife. They require less fertilizer, water and pest control, which helps prevent the contamination of soil and water runoff.
Feeders: Supplemental food sources can be supplied by using feeders for birds or squirrels. Keeping feeders clean is another key facet of safe shelter.
Water: All wildlife needs a clean water supply for drinking. Many also
Fostering Nature’s Magic
Places to Raise Young: Many of the same elements that provide shelter also provide places for wildlife to raise their young. Mature trees, dense shrubs, fallen logs, hollow trees and dens in the ground are good nesting locations for many animals. Larval host plants may be provided as places for nourishing young in a butterfly garden. Nesting boxes and platforms, bat boxes and toad abodes also make intriguing addi- tions to a yard habitat. Whatever the size, any backyard or
garden space can contain some of each of the three essential habitat elements for wildlife. Whether we plant a tree for local bird nesting, create a modest butterfly garden, eliminate chemicals or choose to leave a small corner of native plants for wildlife, each small decision is a step in the right direction for pre- serving the natural beauty of the world around us. It’s also a lovely thing to do for
ourselves and our families. When we catch a quick glimpse of a fluttering hummingbird or watch the transforma- tion of a caterpillar from chrysalis to butterfly, and realize that we played a part in their journey, we discover that providing habitat for wildlife adds as much to our lives as it does to theirs. To play a role in the preservation of
butterflies, songbirds or even a regional endangered species is a miraculous feeling, and one we’ll want to nurture.
Betsy S. Franz is a freelance writer and photographer specializing in the environment and may be reached at
NaturesDetails.net. She developed Project Backyard Brevard in Brevard County, FL to help residents maintain natural habitat based on National Wild- life Federation principles (see
nwf.org/ backyard).
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40