Designing A Wildlife Habitat – When we started farming, we were self-centered and open-minded. Indeed! We saw the garden as a place to feed us, to feed us, and we tried to keep the intruders out. Needless to say, we have a very different mindset these days! We view our garden as a place of “ours” and “them”, and we actively work to achieve that goal. Now, our garden is a certified wildlife habitat.
Nothing makes us happier than watching bees and butterflies fly from flower to flower, seeing a lizard jump across a path, or opening the door to a bird-filled yard in the morning. And don’t even get me started on the bullshit! Maybe these things are already common in your garden – and if so, that’s great! For us, starting with an empty patch of grass in a populated, non-rural area,
Designing A Wildlife Habitat
Read along to learn how to transform your yard into a balanced, sustainable, welcoming environment for wildlife and pollinators. We’ll go over the five main components you’ll need to do so, as well as how to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat – if you want to do it legally! Our place was confirmed last fall. Whether you choose to go full warranty, or just want to make some wildlife-friendly improvements to your yard, thank you in advance for your hard work!
Wildlife Habitat Design In A Wounded World
Living things – especially mammals, birds, and fish – that are not human or non-domestic. Merriam Webster Dictionary
Personally, I would like to focus on the “living things” part of that definition, and not play favorites only with mammals, birds and fish.
The types of wildlife that may visit each of our gardens will vary greatly depending on where we live and the type of landscape. Frogs, deer, rabbits, bats, moths, birds, lizards, mice, chicks, squirrels, raccoons, coyotes, turtles, opossums, bears… the list goes on! Obviously, some of these guys will be welcomed with more open arms than others.
If you keep an edible garden for yourself, there is a practical concern to protect your precious plants from “pests”– but make a little room in your space and heart to share with you! By creating a wildlife-friendly habitat within your yard, pest concerns are often minimized through natural checks and balances. Since we’ve focused on turning our yard into a little bit of nature beyond “just a garden”, we’ve found less need for pest intervention!
Wild By Design — First Light Wildlife Habitats
That said, you can always choose who you want to encourage to be part of your ecosystem the most. For example, certain types of bird houses or bird feeders attract different types of birds – and some are more “squirrel proof” than others. Use fencing (or over raised garden beds) to prevent access and destruction by large mammals or birds if necessary. We have opossums, skunks, and raccoons that cruise our yard at night and eat plants here and there, but they also provide a valuable service! Did you know that opposums feed mainly on small mice, snails, slugs and insects? The circle of life…
We have had hanging bird feeders in our garden for a while, but found that they mainly attracted birds. Finches are beautiful and sing beautiful songs, but they eat little plants in addition to seeds and insects. They ate our winter garden vegetables very well one year, so we decided to stop hauling them to the yard for food. Their population is being replaced by California Towhees, which often burrow under bushes and eat insects or seeds, and very little vegetation. Now they are our best friends in the garden, and they do a great job of killing pests!
A yard can be a yard, and a garden is just a garden. Some gardens are kept very clean or tidy to accommodate more wildlife. Wildlife loves it…
On the other hand, obviously not all animal habitats are gardens. A forest, for example. What we strive for is a beneficial mix of both!
Wildlife Garden Ideas: Turn A Backyard Into A Natural Haven |
The National Wildlife Federation (a certifying organization, which we’ll get to!) lists 5 essentials for wildlife habitat:
Let’s take a look at each of these elements, and look at examples of how to incorporate them into your site. But before we dive in, I want to make sure we all understand a very important point: Size doesn’t matter!
Someone may have a full acre of mowed lawns, flowering shrubs, hedges, dahlias, and daisies – but they still don’t qualify as certified wildlife habitat. They may miss something important like a water source, or use pesticides that destroy life. On the other hand, a small garden of 100 square meters of garden may be able to provide all the things needed to keep and feed wild animals. Of course, maybe not all shapes and sizes of wild animals, but some. And some are better than none! Even a balcony garden, a school yard, an urban area, or a workplace can be a Safe Place.
There is a place for us all! Even a small backyard can be a haven for wildlife. This used to be grass.
Designing Paths And Gardens In Your Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Well, I’m starting out of order. Why? Because if you don’t manage your garden in a sustainable way, this residue is a problem. The types of sustainable practices that are encouraged to become a Certified Animal Shelter include:
Stop using any inorganic pesticides (especially broad-spectrum pesticides), fertilizers, or other synthetic chemical products in your garden. This includes pesticides, such as rat bait. Rat poison poses a serious risk to wildlife – and pets! Furthermore, only use “certified organic” approved garden sprays or products as a last resort.
Instead, encourage beneficial insects and natural predators, use pest control methods, and other mechanical methods to control pests and diseases. The National Wildlife Federation promotes the use of Integrated Pest Management, as do we! To learn more about our organic pest control strategies, check out this article. Finally, reduce waste, recycle your garden supplies, and create organic organic fertilizer by composting at home!
Native plants are those types of plants that are native to your area. They are best suited to your climate and will grow better, naturally. Furthermore, local wildlife may already be familiar with native plants and make good use of them – either for food, shelter, or perhaps both! As much as possible, look for plants that are hyper-local to your area. At the very least, choose plants that are native to your state or country.
Your Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Bringing It All Together With Design
Caring for soil health and using water-wise practices help your mini-ecosystem and the planet alike. Use mulch on open ground to reduce erosion and retain moisture naturally. Choose drought tolerant plants, and consider setting up a rainwater harvesting system! Instead of relying on inefficient sprinklers, switch as much as you can to watering and soaker hoses. Last but not least: reduce, reduce, or remove lawn area. That action alone can negate the need for sprinkler irrigation, and greatly reduce the need for water. Plus, a turf lawn doesn’t support wildlife! Check out this guide on how to kill, spray, or remove turf grass instead of food, flowers and more.
Our California Sycamore and California Pepper trees serve as a favorite habitat and hang spot for both hummingbirds and monarch butterflies.
Another way to provide food for wildlife is to plant edible trees, shrubs, and other plants – and you’re willing to share a little with the fauna in your garden! However, remember that “edible” can mean something very different to us than it does to wildlife. Many plants produce seeds, which you and I can’t eat, but are a great meal for critters.
As you know, all life forms need water to survive! Water is what makes our planet unique and rich, and able to sustain life. Some wildlife appreciate water in obvious ways – drinking, just like you and me. Others, to wash. In addition, some aquatic organisms, insects, or amphibians need to reproduce. We just found dragonfly larvae in our patio fountain – so rad, and they look like little alligators!
Nwfh Certification Program — California Landscape Design
To qualify as certified wildlife habitat, your property must include at least one body of water. We currently have two birdbaths and a fountain, with plans to add more!
One of our two birdbaths, surrounded by seed-blowing plants like verbena, milkweed, and yarrow. Placing rocks inside also provides safe places for bees and other small creatures to drink water.
The fountain in our new home garden is a haven for wildlife, especially birds! Do you see the two Lesser Goldfinches coming in? Ants also love this source.
Hey friend! Pictures from our vacation in Kauai, where our host created dozens of water gardens and box ponds around the yard for the local frogs and toads. They help keep mosquitoes and other insects down, and their choir at night was incredible!
In The Future, Will We Build Cities For Wildlife And Design The Countryside For People?
Just like we want our human homes to feel safe and secure, our tiny little friends need the same!