Creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife seek four basic elements in their surroundings – shelter or cover, food, water, and places to raise their young. To create a wildlife haven in your own backyard, provide some or all of these components in an attractive arrangement.

Help Combat Habitat Loss – Cause for Species Decline

Habitat loss is a primary reason for loss of biodiversity. In the United States, most homeowners strive for a sterile, manicured lawn, which requires lots of attention with regards to mowing and the application of chemicals, and is inhospitable to wildlife. American lawns and gardens are augmented with over 67 million pounds of pesticides each year (Andy Wasowski “Dawn of a New Lawn” Audubon May – June 2001). According to Lorrie Otto (same source), ‚”Maintaining a lawn is one of the most evil practices of the upper and middle classes. It is flagrantly wasteful of drinking water and nonrenewable resources, irresponsibly destructive of our native plant and animal species, and dependent on the defiant and dishonest use of chemicals, which are far more threatening to human health than any weed pollen.” By eliminating chemical-guzzling sterile lawns in favor of a diverse habitat, each individual can contribute to preserving threatened species and increasing biodiversity.

Backyard Wildlife – Economic Benefit

Besides aesthetic value, there is economic value to improving your backyard habitat. By planting dense evergreens north of a house, the house is protected from cold winter winds. By planting shade trees to the east and west of a house, direct morning and afternoon sun are reduced; both strategies lower energy costs for the homeowner. Using plants to shade air-conditioning compressor units can increase their efficiency by 10%. On average, the addition of trees and plants can increase property values by 3-10%.

Creating a Wildlife Habitat

First, inventory what you already have to work with – map your yard, identifying existing plants and habitat components. Characterize the habitat already existing, and enhance it. Meadows and open areas will attract bluebirds and rabbits, but likely not Northern Parulas and flying squirrels. A wooded tract will be appealing to Screech Owls and Northern Flickers, but probably not meadowlarks or Purple Martins. Decide what kind of habitat you have, and focus on improving it for the species native to that habitat type.

Now, develop a plan for your yard. Remember, it is a three-dimensional space, so fill it horizontally and vertically. Choose native plants that will thrive in your location and attract local wildlife, and eliminate non-native plants in the yard. The more variety in the habitat the better – add evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs; tall trees, shade-tolerant understory trees, and groundcover; native grasses. Avoid straight lines and symmetry in favor of more natural curving edges and clumps of vegetation. When choosing plants, consider where you’ll place them and whether they are sun or shade tolerant. Remember – wildlife is not attracted to a well-manicured lawn! Once a backyard wildlife habitat has been created, it can be certified through the National Wildlife Federation.

Make sure the wildlife you attract is safe – eliminate any threats to them from house pets (“A Home for Wildlife in Your Backyard” Arkansas Game and Fish Commission). Be careful about attracting and making pests out of mammals such as bears, raccoons, and opossums. If they find something appealing in your yard, they will frequent it, which habituates them to humans and in turns threatens their lives. Avoid putting out trash and food scraps where these animals can access it.

Check out Planting and Caring for Trees if planning to add trees to the yard.