BUILD A BACKYARD WILDLIFE REFUGE
BACKGROUND
Helping to save and care for animals can begin
in your own backyard. By landscaping and planting with wildlife in mind, you
can make up for the loss of much of their natural habitat. Simply by choosing
the right plants, you can provide them with natural food and shelter ... and yourself
with a window‑literally, into the natural world.
DIDYOUKNOW
You
can attract specific animals to your garden with certain plants. Hummingbirds,
for example, like red morning glories; butterflies are attracted to brightly
colored flowers in full sunlight.
Animals
that are active in the daytime (e.g., chipmunks, and rabbits) will visit yards
if shelter such as walls and shrubs is provided.
Birds
are often desperate for water in winter, when the ground is frozen. A heated
birdbath can help hundreds of birds to survive.
You
can set up a bird feeder on a city balcony as well as a country garden. Even if
you have cats, there are safe ways to put up feeders.
SIMPLE THINGS TO DO
Consult
a nursery or your local chapter of the Audubon Society to find out what flowers
and trees will attract the wildlife you’d like to invite into your backyard.
Create
a Plan: Sketch out your yard and decide where to plant, provide water, and
provide shelter. Then send your plan (along with $5) to the National Federation
of Wildlife. They'll look it over, make recommendations and certify your yard
as an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat. It's a great way to involve kids.
SOURCE National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Program. 1412
l6th Street N.W.,