Steps to createhabitat for wildlife1. Identify all existing plants. Note:• Condition of the plants and their

locations.• How much shade the trees and

shrubs provide.• Are trees evergreen or do they

drop their leaves in the fall? • Do they provide valuable food

sources?

2. Make a sketch of your yard notingall existing plants, buildings, utilities,and pathways.You may even consid-er removing some plants. In somecases, trees have been planted tooclose to buildings or have grownmuch larger than the previousowner envisioned. Some species maybe of little wildlife value and maynot be particularly attractive. Onceyou have identified existing plants

you want to save, start exploringoptions for plants that will workwell with these species.The existingplants around your yard may be ade-quate to attract some wildlife, but afew changes can effectively enhancethe existing habitat. Diversity in thelandscape is necessary. Some plantsprovide food but very little cover;others provide cover but little food.

3. Add trees, shrubs, flowers, andgroundcovers to your plan. Not allthe planting needs to be done atonce. If money or time is limited,consider it a work in progress.

4. Plant a variety of trees first. Selectevergreen species for year-roundcover and shelter. Select fruit or nut-bearing plants for a food source.Native species are well suited forproviding wildlife habitat becausethey are adapted to the local soil, cli-

mate, and wildlife. Other considera-tions for choosing and placement:• Eventual size.Whether they are

evergreen or deciduous (treesthat drop their leaves). Deciduoustrees planted on the south side ofa house will provide summershade, but will not completelyblock winter sun.

• Neighboring properties.• Flowering and fruiting habit.

Select plants that flower and bearfruit at different times of the year.Some shrubs that produce berriescan provide food throughout theyear.Trees with nuts and fruit canalso provide seasonal foods. (Seethe tip sheet on tree planting forsuggested species.)

5. Fill in with smaller shade-tolerantunderstory trees and shrubs. Addthese to an existing landscape toenhance the vertical structure that iscommon in natural landscapes. Manysmaller trees and shrubs are colorfulat spring flowering, and provideberries for fall and winter feed.

6. Flowering annuals (plants that liveone growing season) and perennials(plants that live for more than ayear) add color to the yard and canbe added at any stage to attract birdsand butterflies. If your yard is large,consider using part of it for tallnative grasses that provide beauty, aswell as a natural source of food andshelter.A native wildflower gardenprovides the same function. Even ona small lot, native wildflowers, aswell as some common gardenspecies, can provide habitat for avariety of birds and butterflies.Avoidstraight lines and perfect symmetry.Natural habitat has curves andclumps of vegetation.Wildlife is notparticularly attracted to a well-mani-cured lawn.Wildlife is more likely tocome out into the open for viewingwhen the boundary of the yard isdesigned and maintained as a retreatfor animals.

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Many plans are available forbuilding bird houses and othershelter for backyard wildlife.

Landscaping forbirdsFood and cover are essential for thesurvival of all species. Loss of suit-able nesting sites is a major factor inthe decline of some bird species. Inthe wild, many species nest in cavi-ties of dead trees.With the loss ofhedgerows in some parts of thecountry and the removal of dead

trees in towns, natural nesting sitesare often limited.Also, some highlycompetitive, non-native species ofbirds have taken over some of theexisting nesting sites once occupiedby native birds.

Bird species are extremely variablein their habits. Some like deeplywooded areas; others prefer openfields and meadows. Many species

are year-round residents, while oth-ers such as the cedar waxwingappear only for a few days a yearduring migration. Other species suchas sparrows, blue jays, cardinals,robins, juncos, and chickadees arehighly adaptable and found in manyenvironments.

Many people are not aware of thevalue of dead, dying, and hollowtrees, as well as logs on the ground,for birds and other wildlife. Deadtrees provide homes to more than400 species of birds, mammals, andamphibians. Fish, plants, and fungialso benefit from dead and dyingtrees. Consider leaving standing deadand dying trees in your yard unlessthey pose a human safety or proper-ty hazard, and use old logs andstumps in gardens and landscaping.

Additional food andshelter for birdsFew yards will be able to supply suf-ficient food or shelter for a variety ofbirds all year long. However, you canimprove shelter and food supplies bybuilding or purchasing feeders andhouses, and by setting out certainfoods.

Most bird species have specific nest-ing requirements. Because of theserequirements, your yard may notaccommodate certain species. Forinstance, Eastern bluebirds prefernesting sites that border open fieldsor lawns with a tree or fence postnearby to provide feeding perches.Chickadees prefer to nest in morewooded areas.

Before setting out nesting houses,find out which species are commonin your area and can be encouragedto nest in your yard. Make or buy abird house specifically designed forthe bird you wish to attract.The sizeof the entrance hole is critical toprevent the eggs and young from

Trees for birds American beech (Fagus grandifolia)American holly (Ilex opaca)Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)Black cherry (Prunus serotina)Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)Crabapple (Malus spp.)Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.)Hickories (Carya spp.)Live oak (Quercus virginiana)Oaks (Quercus spp.)Red mulberry (Morus rubra)

Shrubs for birds Common juniper (Juniperus communis)Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)Hollies--both evergreen and deciduous

species (Ilex spp.)Pyracantha (Pyracantha spp.)Red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)Sumacs (Rhus spp.)Viburnums (Viburnum spp.)Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

Vines for birdsAmerican bittersweet (Celastrus scan-

dens)Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera semper

virens and related spp.)Strawberry (Fragaria spp.)

Trumpet creeper or vine(Campis radicans)

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissusquinquefolia)

Wild grape (Vitis spp.)

Nectar plants for hummingbirds,butterflies, or bees

Aster (Aster spp.)Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)Butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia)Butterfly weed and other milkweeds

(Asclepias spp.)Clover and other legumesConeflower (Echinacea spp.)Bee balm (Monarda spp.)Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)Delphinium (Delphinium spp.)Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)Jewel weed (Impatiens capensis or

I.pallida)Lobelia (Lobelia spp. )Lupine (Lupinus spp.)Penstemon (Penstemon spp. )Phlox (Phlox spp. )Salvia (Salvia spp. )Trumpet creeper or vine

(Campis radicans)Weigela (Weigela spp. )Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)

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Plant Species for birdsBelow are some plant species to consider for wildlife habitat. Check with a localnursery on plants suitable for your area. Some of these plants, while suited forwildlife, may have characteristics such as shallow roots or weak limbs that makethem inappropriate for small urban properties--or they may not be winter hardyin all locations. Birds eat many flower seeds– depending on the species of bird.

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being destroyed by larger birds--always check a list of appropriatehole sizes. Other considerationsinclude box size, height above theground, direction the entrance holefaces, and amount of sunlight. Boxesmay need baffles or other protectivedevices to limit access by cats andother predators.A good referencepublication is Homes for Birds bythe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Office of Migratory BirdManagement. It is available at twointernet sites:www.fws.gov/~r9mbmo/pamphlet/pamphlets or http://birding.mining-co.com/msub12.htm.

Many species of birds can be attract-ed by a variety of feed in differentstyles of feeders.There are manystyles of bird feeders available, fromwindow-mounted feeders to thosethat hang from branches and stands.Many birds will readily eat right offthe ground. Bird feed comes in avariety of choices; however, sun-flower seeds appeal to many birds, aswell as small mammals.Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chick-adees are especially attracted to suet.Citrus fruit, chopped apples andbananas, and raisins will be eaten bynumerous species, including robins,titmouse, nuthatches, woodpeckers,and mockingbirds.

Feeders may also attract wildlifespecies you may not want to feedsuch as starlings, crows, and squir-rels. Feeder type and placement andthe type of food can help deterunwanted species.

Unlike many other species of birds,hummingbirds rely on nectar as theirsource of food.These tiny, migratorybirds are commonly seen in the sum-mer in northern states gathering nec-tar from colorful flowers.Hummingbirds are typically attractedto red and yellow tubular flowers,although they frequently visit others.

Hummingbird feeders can be pur-chased and filled with a sugar-watersolution, consisting of 1 part sugar to4 parts water. Every 3 to 4 days,wash the feeder with soap andwater, rinse thoroughly, and add newsugar water.

Food and shelterfor butterfliesColorful butterflies and moths addbeauty and interest to your backyard.There are hundreds of differentspecies of butterflies and moths inNorth America. Butterflies and mothsare insects.They hatch into larvae(commonly referred to as caterpil-lars), eventually become pupae, anddevelop into colorful adults. Howlong the process takes depends onthe species and the climate.

Butterflies and moths are amazinglyparticular in their food choices.Thelarval stage of the butterfly mayrequire food quite different fromthat of the adult. Some larvae con-sume tremendous amounts of plantmaterial, seemingly devouring plantsovernight.A common example in thegarden is the tomato hornwormwhich rapidly strips tomato plants oftheir leaves. An equally voracious,but beautiful, larvae is the Easternblack swallowtail which is foundonly on plants in the carrot family,including celery, carrot, dill, and pars-ley.A close relative is the Easterntiger swallowtail that eats the foliageof wild cherry, birch, poplar, ash, andtulip trees.

Adult butterflies require food in liq-uid form such as plant-produced nec-tar.They get some of it from flowersand from juices of extra-ripe fruit.The types of flowering plants yougrow will determine the kinds ofbutterflies you attract to your back-yard. In addition to the plants listedfor hummingbirds and butterflies,butterfly bush is especially attractivefor butterflies. Find out what species

are common in your area and useplants they like. Nectar feeders canbe placed in the yard to attract but-terflies. Do not use insecticides nearplants for butterflies. Learn to recog-nize larval and egg forms.That largegreen and black caterpillar eatingyour dill may one day turn into thegorgeous butterfly you were hopingto attract!

Butterflies, like all insects, are mostactive when temperatures arewarmer.While moths are commonlyfound at night, most butterflies areactive on sunny, warm days.Butterflies will benefit from a bask-ing site where they can warm up oncool mornings.Add a light-coloredrock or concrete garden sculpture asa basking site. Butterflies also need asource of water.A shallow dish ofwater or a depression in a rock thatretains water is all they need.

Attracting beesIn the United States, there are nearly5,000 different species of nativebees. Most of them are solitary,friendly bees that nest in holes inthe ground or burrows in twigs anddead tree limbs.These bees do nothave hives to protect them, so theyare not aggressive and rarely sting.Bumblebees, carpenter bees, sweatbees, leafcutter bees, digger bees,and others pollinate many differentkinds of plants.They play a criticalrole in healthy wild plant communi-ties and gardens.About 30 percent ofour diet is the direct result of a polli-nating visit by a bee to a floweringfruit tree or vegetable plant.Providing bee habitat in your yardcan increase the quality and quantityof your fruits and vegetables.

Bees are extremely sensitive to manycommonly applied insecticides. Ifyou must use chemical insecticidesin your garden, apply them in theevening when bees are less likely tobe active.

Bees are attracted to most floweringplants, and are especially fond ofblue and yellow flowers.Try plantingyour garden to have different speciesblooming in the spring, summer, andfall.

Bee housesA good use for untreated scrap lum-ber (at least 3 to 5 inches thick) is todrill holes (from 1⁄8-inch to 5⁄16-inch indiameter) about 90 percent of theway into the thick wooden block.Space the holes about 1⁄2-inch to 3⁄4-inch apart.The 5⁄16-inch holes workbest as homes for orchard beeswhich are excellent pollinators offruit trees. Hang your bee blocksunder the eaves of your house orgarden shed, protected from directsun and rain.

Attracting bats toyour yardBats are a beneficial and interestingmammal. Bats are the single mostimportant controller of night-flyinginsects, including mosquitoes, moths,and beetles. For example, a single lit-tle brown bat can catch up to 600mosquitoes in an hour.Watching batsfly around light posts catching bugscan be an interesting nighttime activ-ity.

A bat house in your yard will helpattract bats and provide them withmuch-needed roosting habitat.Thehouse should be placed on a pole atleast 15 feet high in a spot thatreceives sun at least 4 to 6 hours aday.Tree trunks are usually too shadyfor bat boxes. Some bat species suchas gray bats, red bats, and hoary batswill use shrubs and trees for roostingunder loose bark or in cavities.

Many species of bats migrate in thefall and hibernate throughout thewinter months in caves, mines, orbuildings. If disturbed during hiber-nation, their metabolism is increased,

depleting fat reserves and reducingtheir chances of survival.

As with all wildlife, bats should bewatched, but not handled or chased.Generally, bats are shy of humansand will not attack or fly after a per-son. However, if caught or picked upfrom the ground, a bat may bite.

Attracting reptilesand amphibiansToads, frogs, lizards, turtles, andsnakes all have a place in the back-yard.While many people may notwant some of these animals in theiryards, most species are harmless andoften quite beneficial--feeding ondestructive insects or rodents.

Reptiles and amphibians are cold-blooded animals.Their body temper-ature rises and falls as the surround-ing temperatures change. Because ofthis, these animals need a sunnybasking spot to warm up in themorning.They also need a shady,cool spot to spend time during theheat of the day and for protectionfrom predators.

Shelter for reptiles and amphibians iseasy to provide. Several rocks piledin a sunny spot will provide baskingsites. Consider planting shade-toler-ant groundcovers under trees andleaving a thick layer of leaves to pro-vide cool shelter. Stumps, logs, androck piles in a shady spot can bevaluable.

Water for wildlifeClean, fresh water is as important tobirds, bats, butterflies, and otherwildlife as it is for people.Water in asaucer, bird bath, or backyard pond isadequate for wildlife. Be sure tochange the water every few days tokeep it fresh. In hot weather, it maybe necessary to refill the containerdaily.

Logs, rocks, and water-holding struc-tures provide drinking and baskinghabitat for turtles, butterflies, andsongbirds. Stones with depressionsthat collect water will help attractbutterflies.

A word aboutattracting mam-malsSquirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, rac-coons, opossums, skunks, wood-chucks, mice, and deer are common-ly found in many urban environ-ments.These species are highlyadaptable and, in many cases, arebecoming unwanted visitors ratherthan welcome guests.

As with all wildlife, cover is essentialfor the survival of these species.Small brush piles intended foramphibians and reptiles will alsoprovide shelter for rabbits and mice.Chipmunks and woodchucks areadept at digging their own burrows.Trees may provide shelter for squir-rels, raccoons, and opossums.Food set out for birds may attractmany of these animals. Squirrels,chipmunks, and mice will readily eatbirdseed. Raccoons will feed on suet.Woodchucks and rabbits will eat avariety of vegetation including gar-den vegetables and flowering plants.Deer are browsers and will nibble attrees, shrubs, hay and grain.

A few precautions can be taken toavoid unwanted encounters withthese animals.Avoid setting out foodthat may attract scavengers such asraccoons. Keep garbage cans in asecure shed or garage or use metalcans that scavengers cannot chewthrough. Check the exterior of yourhouse for loose or rotted boards thatcould allow access by mice or otherrodents. Remember that these ani-mals are wild, and if threatened theycan bite. Raccoons can be particular-ly aggressive.All these species cancarry diseases. Do not handle them.

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Laws vary from state to state onwildlife issues. If you have questionsor concerns about wildlife, checkwith your state's Department ofNatural Resources or ConservationDepartment before taking action.

Backyard habitatprogramsThe National Wildlife Federation(NWF) sponsors a certification pro-gram designed to help individualsplan and apply a wildlife habitat planfor a home site or small acreage. Onrequest, NWF will send you an appli-cation package and instructions forits Backyard Wildlife HabitatProgram. If your application and planmeet the criteria, you will receive acertificate and, if you wish, a sign toshow your commitment to wildlifeconservation. Contact:Backyard Wildlife Habitat ProgramNational Wildlife Federation8925 Leesburg PikeVienna,VA 22184-0001or http://www.nwf.org/nwf

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’sOffice of Migratory Bird Managementworks with groups and individuals toconserve and manage migratorybirds.This agency offers informationabout backyard habitats for birds andwildlife. Several pamphlets are avail-able: Backyard Bird Feeding,Backyard Bird Problems, AttractBirds, Homes for Birds, andMigratory Songbird Conservation.(www.fws.gov/~r9mbmo/pam-phlet/pamphlets.html). For moreinformation contact:U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceOffice of Public AffairsWashington, DC 20240

The Natural Resources ConservationService, National Association ofConservation Districts, and WildlifeHabitat Council encourage you tosign up in the “BackyardConservation” program.To partici-pate, use some of the conservationpractices in your backyard that areshowcased in this series of factsheets--tree planting, wildlife habitat,backyard pond, backyard wetland,composting, mulching, nutrient man-agement, terracing, water conserva-tion, and pest management.Thensimply fill in the BackyardConservation customer responseform or call 1-888-LANDCARE.

On the farmWhen most of us think of naturalresource protection or wildlife habi-tat, images of vast expanses of openland and unbounded water probablycome to mind.

But to hundreds of species of ani-mals and insects, home is wherethey find it. Many of them wouldlove to find their home in your back-yard, just as many have found ahome in the large backyards ofAmerica’s farmers and ranchers.

As a matter of fact, private landown-ers provide the bulk of the food andhabitat for wildlife in this country.They deserve the credit for making ahome for wildlife on a whopping 70percent of the land.Farmers are installing grass, tree, andshrub plantings; ponds; riparianbuffer strips; wetlands; and otherwildlife habitat at record rates.

On the farm, sometimes the tree,shrub and grass plantings don't offerenough food or cover for wildlife. Sosome farmers plant food plots espe-cially for wildlife, or put up struc-tures geese and ducks and birds canuse as protected nests.

Some farmers also provide bird andbat houses, while others plant orleave food plots of corn, millet, orother grains specifically for wildlife.

Like your neighbors in the country,you’ll soon discover that by makingyour yard more hospitable to nature,you’ll add pleasure to your life, andharmony around your home.

Careful thought,such as usingbranch protectorsfor hanging birdfood, will create amore lasting back-yard habitat.

Printed by the National Association of Conservation Districts 1-800-825-5547