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Your yard can be a vital refuge for birds, pollinators, and wildlife. Here's how to transform any outdoor space into thriving habitat.
WHY BACKYARD HABITAT MATTERS
Wildlife has lost 70% of habitat in last 50 years Suburban yards = 40 million acres in US (larger than national parks) Connecting yards creates wildlife corridors Native species declining from habitat loss and pesticides Every yard helps, even small urban spaces
NATIVE PLANTS - FOUNDATION OF HABITAT
Why native plants: Co-evolved with local wildlife (provide right food at right time) Support 10-50x more insects than non-natives (critical for birds) Require less water once established Disease and pest resistant Low maintenance
Regional plant resources: Audubon Native Plant Database: audubon.org/native-plants National Wildlife Federation: nwf.org/nativeplantfinder Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: wildflower.org State native plant societies
FOOD SOURCES
Nectar plants for pollinators: Spring: Lupine, columbine, penstemon Summer: Coneflower, bee balm, milkweed Fall: Aster, goldenrod, sedum
Seeds for birds: Sunflowers (goldfinches, chickadees) Coneflowers (cardinals, juncos) Native grasses (sparrows, finches)
Berries: Holly (cedar waxwings, robins) Serviceberry (40+ bird species) Elderberry (thrushes, warblers) Dogwood (wood thrushes)
Host plants for butterflies: Milkweed → Monarch caterpillars Parsley/dill → Swallowtails Violets → Fritillaries Asters → Crescents and checkerspots
Tip: Leave seed heads standing in winter for birds and overwintering insects
WATER SOURCES
Birdbath: Cost: $20-100 Depth: 1-3 inches ideal Clean every 2-3 days Add solar bubbler ($15-30) to prevent mosquitoes Location: Near cover but visible to you
Small pond: DIY: $100-500 depending on size Preformed liner or flexible liner Add rocks for shallow access Native aquatic plants Hosts frogs, dragonflies, birds
Even simpler: Shallow dish with stones Change water daily Costs $5-10
SHELTER
Brush piles: Stack branches and logs Provides cover for rabbits, birds, salamanders Overwinter site for beneficial insects Free using yard waste
Dead trees (snags): Home to 85+ bird species Woodpecker foraging Insect hotel Leave standing if safe
Leaf litter: Leave fallen leaves under shrubs Overwintering habitat for butterflies, moths Soil enrichment FREE mulch
Rock piles: Lizard and snake habitat Small mammal cover Looks natural
NESTING
Birdhouses: Different sizes for different species Bluebird: 1.5" hole, open area Chickadee: 1.25" hole, woods edge Wren: 1" hole, near house Clean out between seasons
Native cavity nesters: Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, bluebirds, wrens, owls, kestrels
Nesting materials: Leave natural materials (twigs, grasses, moss) Provide pet hair, yarn (short pieces <6") Avoid dryer lint (not water resistant)
AVOID THESE
Pesticides and herbicides: **** target pests AND beneficial insects Poison birds eating contaminated insects Disrupt food chain Natural pest control: Birds, bats, beneficial insects
Non-native invasive plants: Outcompete natives Provide poor nutrition for wildlife Bradford pear, burning bush, Japanese barberry, privet
Excessive lawn: Ecological desert (supports almost no life) High maintenance Water and chemical intensive Replace with native meadow or garden beds
Cat roaming: Cats **** 2.4 billion birds/year in US Keep cats indoors or build "catio" Use collar bells
LAWN ALTERNATIVES
Native meadow: Plant mix of native grasses and wildflowers Mow 1-2x per year Supports 5x more species than lawn Lower maintenance after establishment
Clover lawn: Nitrogen-fixing (no fertilizer) Drought tolerant Feeds bees Mow less frequently
Creeping groundcovers: Thyme, sedum, native violets Walk-able No mowing
Start small: Convert 10-20% of lawn first year, expand over time
POLLINATOR GARDEN
Design principles: Bloom succession (spring through fall) Plant in drifts (3-5 of same species) Include host plants for caterpillars Provide water source No pesticides
Top pollinator plants: Milkweed (monarchs) Coneflower (bees, butterflies) Bee balm (hummingbirds, bees) Asters (fall pollinators) Goldenrod (300+ bee species)
CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat: Requirements: Food, water, cover, nesting, sustainable practices Cost: $20 application Benefits: Sign for yard, supports NWF
Audubon at Home: Free online tool Custom habitat recommendations Certification available
Pollinator Pathway: Connect habitats along streets Community-based Free participation
MONITORING WILDLIFE
Citizen science: eBird (bird observations) iNaturalist (all species) Monarch Larva Monitoring Project Bumble Bee Watch Nest Watch
Apps: Merlin Bird ID (free, Cornell) Picture Insect PlantNet (identify plants)
Keep records: Species seen over time Bloom times What works/doesn't
URBAN SPACES
Balcony/patio: Container gardens with natives Window boxes Hanging baskets Shallow bird bath
Community: Push for native landscaping in parks Community gardens with habitat corners Pollinator pathways Street tree diversity
MAINTENANCE
Spring: Leave leaf litter until 55°F (overwintering insects) Clean bird houses Divide perennials Add mulch
Summer: Deadhead or leave seed heads (your choice) Water new plants Monitor for disease
Fall: Plant new natives (best time) Leave stems standing Spread leaf mulch Plant spring bulbs
Winter: Feed birds (suet, sunflower seeds) Keep water from freezing (heated birdbath) Enjoy wildlife from window
COST
Budget approach ($200-500): Start with 10-15 native plants DIY water source Leave natural shelter Add 1-2 bird houses
Mid-range ($500-2,000): Replace 25% of lawn Small pond Multiple planting beds Diverse native plants
All-in transformation ($2,000-10,000): Remove most lawn Professional design Large pond Extensive native plantings Multiple habitat features
ROI: Lower water bills, less maintenance, incredible wildlife watching
RESOURCES
Organizations: National Wildlife Federation: nwf.org Audubon: audubon.org Xerces Society (pollinators): xerces.org Wild Ones (native plants): wildones.org
Books: "Bringing Nature Home" by Doug Tallamy "Nature's Best Hope" by Doug Tallamy "The Living Landscape" by Rick Darke & Doug Tallamy
Documentaries: "The Roots of Your Backyard" (YouTube) "My Garden of a Thousand Bees"
Nurseries: Prairie Moon Nursery (natives by mail) American Meadows Local native plant sales
DISCUSSION
What wildlife visits your yard? What native plants thrive in your area? Biggest challenge in creating habitat? Tips for convincing HOA to allow natural yards?
WHY BACKYARD HABITAT MATTERS
Wildlife has lost 70% of habitat in last 50 years Suburban yards = 40 million acres in US (larger than national parks) Connecting yards creates wildlife corridors Native species declining from habitat loss and pesticides Every yard helps, even small urban spaces
NATIVE PLANTS - FOUNDATION OF HABITAT
Why native plants: Co-evolved with local wildlife (provide right food at right time) Support 10-50x more insects than non-natives (critical for birds) Require less water once established Disease and pest resistant Low maintenance
Regional plant resources: Audubon Native Plant Database: audubon.org/native-plants National Wildlife Federation: nwf.org/nativeplantfinder Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: wildflower.org State native plant societies
FOOD SOURCES
Nectar plants for pollinators: Spring: Lupine, columbine, penstemon Summer: Coneflower, bee balm, milkweed Fall: Aster, goldenrod, sedum
Seeds for birds: Sunflowers (goldfinches, chickadees) Coneflowers (cardinals, juncos) Native grasses (sparrows, finches)
Berries: Holly (cedar waxwings, robins) Serviceberry (40+ bird species) Elderberry (thrushes, warblers) Dogwood (wood thrushes)
Host plants for butterflies: Milkweed → Monarch caterpillars Parsley/dill → Swallowtails Violets → Fritillaries Asters → Crescents and checkerspots
Tip: Leave seed heads standing in winter for birds and overwintering insects
WATER SOURCES
Birdbath: Cost: $20-100 Depth: 1-3 inches ideal Clean every 2-3 days Add solar bubbler ($15-30) to prevent mosquitoes Location: Near cover but visible to you
Small pond: DIY: $100-500 depending on size Preformed liner or flexible liner Add rocks for shallow access Native aquatic plants Hosts frogs, dragonflies, birds
Even simpler: Shallow dish with stones Change water daily Costs $5-10
SHELTER
Brush piles: Stack branches and logs Provides cover for rabbits, birds, salamanders Overwinter site for beneficial insects Free using yard waste
Dead trees (snags): Home to 85+ bird species Woodpecker foraging Insect hotel Leave standing if safe
Leaf litter: Leave fallen leaves under shrubs Overwintering habitat for butterflies, moths Soil enrichment FREE mulch
Rock piles: Lizard and snake habitat Small mammal cover Looks natural
NESTING
Birdhouses: Different sizes for different species Bluebird: 1.5" hole, open area Chickadee: 1.25" hole, woods edge Wren: 1" hole, near house Clean out between seasons
Native cavity nesters: Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, bluebirds, wrens, owls, kestrels
Nesting materials: Leave natural materials (twigs, grasses, moss) Provide pet hair, yarn (short pieces <6") Avoid dryer lint (not water resistant)
AVOID THESE
Pesticides and herbicides: **** target pests AND beneficial insects Poison birds eating contaminated insects Disrupt food chain Natural pest control: Birds, bats, beneficial insects
Non-native invasive plants: Outcompete natives Provide poor nutrition for wildlife Bradford pear, burning bush, Japanese barberry, privet
Excessive lawn: Ecological desert (supports almost no life) High maintenance Water and chemical intensive Replace with native meadow or garden beds
Cat roaming: Cats **** 2.4 billion birds/year in US Keep cats indoors or build "catio" Use collar bells
LAWN ALTERNATIVES
Native meadow: Plant mix of native grasses and wildflowers Mow 1-2x per year Supports 5x more species than lawn Lower maintenance after establishment
Clover lawn: Nitrogen-fixing (no fertilizer) Drought tolerant Feeds bees Mow less frequently
Creeping groundcovers: Thyme, sedum, native violets Walk-able No mowing
Start small: Convert 10-20% of lawn first year, expand over time
POLLINATOR GARDEN
Design principles: Bloom succession (spring through fall) Plant in drifts (3-5 of same species) Include host plants for caterpillars Provide water source No pesticides
Top pollinator plants: Milkweed (monarchs) Coneflower (bees, butterflies) Bee balm (hummingbirds, bees) Asters (fall pollinators) Goldenrod (300+ bee species)
CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat: Requirements: Food, water, cover, nesting, sustainable practices Cost: $20 application Benefits: Sign for yard, supports NWF
Audubon at Home: Free online tool Custom habitat recommendations Certification available
Pollinator Pathway: Connect habitats along streets Community-based Free participation
MONITORING WILDLIFE
Citizen science: eBird (bird observations) iNaturalist (all species) Monarch Larva Monitoring Project Bumble Bee Watch Nest Watch
Apps: Merlin Bird ID (free, Cornell) Picture Insect PlantNet (identify plants)
Keep records: Species seen over time Bloom times What works/doesn't
URBAN SPACES
Balcony/patio: Container gardens with natives Window boxes Hanging baskets Shallow bird bath
Community: Push for native landscaping in parks Community gardens with habitat corners Pollinator pathways Street tree diversity
MAINTENANCE
Spring: Leave leaf litter until 55°F (overwintering insects) Clean bird houses Divide perennials Add mulch
Summer: Deadhead or leave seed heads (your choice) Water new plants Monitor for disease
Fall: Plant new natives (best time) Leave stems standing Spread leaf mulch Plant spring bulbs
Winter: Feed birds (suet, sunflower seeds) Keep water from freezing (heated birdbath) Enjoy wildlife from window
COST
Budget approach ($200-500): Start with 10-15 native plants DIY water source Leave natural shelter Add 1-2 bird houses
Mid-range ($500-2,000): Replace 25% of lawn Small pond Multiple planting beds Diverse native plants
All-in transformation ($2,000-10,000): Remove most lawn Professional design Large pond Extensive native plantings Multiple habitat features
ROI: Lower water bills, less maintenance, incredible wildlife watching
RESOURCES
Organizations: National Wildlife Federation: nwf.org Audubon: audubon.org Xerces Society (pollinators): xerces.org Wild Ones (native plants): wildones.org
Books: "Bringing Nature Home" by Doug Tallamy "Nature's Best Hope" by Doug Tallamy "The Living Landscape" by Rick Darke & Doug Tallamy
Documentaries: "The Roots of Your Backyard" (YouTube) "My Garden of a Thousand Bees"
Nurseries: Prairie Moon Nursery (natives by mail) American Meadows Local native plant sales
DISCUSSION
What wildlife visits your yard? What native plants thrive in your area? Biggest challenge in creating habitat? Tips for convincing HOA to allow natural yards?