that includes parsley. “Swallowtail butterflies will lay eggs on parsley, caterpillars hatch and feed on it, and eventually create a chrysalis,” she says. “You’ll be able to see the entire but- terfly life cycle.”
Rabbits add another dimension
to backyard wildlife. Just as birds and butterflies need trees, bushes and plants to land on and hide in, bunnies need ground cover. The Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries counsels that brush piles should start with a base of large limbs, logs or stones to raise the floor above ground and create tunnels and escape routes, plus a home base. Top with smaller branches and maybe a recycled Christmas tree or dead plants. Encourage structural density and per- manence with live vines. The resulting brush pile should be igloo-shaped and about six to eight feet tall and wide. Visit
Tinyurl.com/BunnyShelters. City ordinances or subdivision regulations might prohibit brush piles in ordinary yards. Find out how to gain certification as a wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation at
Tinyurl.com/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat. Rabbits can have as many as seven
babies per litter, depending on the spe- cies. Make sure their space is sufficient. Before attracting bunnies to the yard, be aware of local predators—hawks, owls, coyote, dogs and stray cats. The brush pile may also attract other animals like skunks, raccoons and reptiles. A wildlife habitat is a fun, ongoing
learning experience. It calls on math skills for bird counts, geography to follow mi- gration maps and woodworking to build homesites and feeding spots. It becomes a lesson in local ecology and the roles of native plants and animals. When children comprehend they can help save wildlife, it’s also a lesson in hope.
Avery Mack is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect via AveryMack@
mindspring.com.
Habitat Tips Recognize the basic needs of all
wildlife; food, water, cover and safe places to raise young.
4 Determine the most desirable species to attract and learn their specific needs.
4 Evaluate current yard habitat conditions for missing elements.
4 Develop a plant list; select for wildlife value, emphasizing native plants suitable for the region.
4 Realize that habitat will grow larger and mature.
4 Certify the family’s backyard wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.
Source: Education Department at Cal- laway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA
natural awakenings
April 2014
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