Basic Habitat Plan

Creating a backyard wildlife sanctuary doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of time, money or effort. Just keep some basic ideas in mind and you will attract a wide variety of wild birds and mammals for years of enjoyment.

• Rather than cutting perennials back, leave them standing well into fall. Their dried seedheads will provide food for many types of migrating birds.
• Plant different kinds of plants. While one bed of a single flower may look dynamic, they aren’t good for wildlife.
• Choose plants for your garden that have a specific purpose. For instance, summer-blooming Joe Pye weed is especially attractive to butterflies, and gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa, Zones 4-8) produces fall fruit that feeds migratory birds.
• Plant hedges for privacy and to offer protection for wildlife. Use various species of hedge plants so that if one type becomes infected with a disease, it won't wipe out the entire hedge.
• Be inventive. Create a diverse habitate using "layers." Ground layers might consist of a pond, a grassy area, or a large rock for basking. Upper layers might be shrubs or trees.
• Make sure your habitat has a balance of sun and shade.
• Encourage volunteer plants, especially trees. They add a naturalness to the landscape that can't be matched with store-bought plants.
• Add some form of water to your wildlife sanctuary. By adding water to your sanctuary, you can double the amount of wildlife. A depth of an inch to an inch and a half is all that's needed. If the water drips or splashes, it will attract even more birds and mammals, as well as cut down on algae growth.
• Do not use chemicals. Many are deadly to wildlife, so learn to use natural pest control measures. Beneficial insects and mulch will help to control pests and weeds.

By following these simple tips, and the others found in this guide, you can provide a home for many species of wildlife.

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