TippECOnowTippecanoe Ecological Footprint for

Neighbors of the Wabash

Katherine Ortegon & Marjorie BlackburnEcological Footprints

What is wildlife?Wildlife habitat is an area that has all the necessary items to support life of an animal or animals. Necessities including food, water and shelter make up an area that invites wildlife to live and develop.

Creating a wildlife habitat is a simple as providing those three necessities in one area. Wildlife habitats can be found anywhere; the forest, a school garden, and even in your own backyard. Hence, BHV is a sustainable initiative consisting in the creation or modification of backyards, gardens, or balconies in order to promote and restore wildlife in commercial and residential areas.

1. Personal InformationBasic user information

Information about ecological footprints (websites: NRCS, The

National Wildlife Federation, and Plant Native)

information of community service projectsFuture evaluation system

(users target)

2. Wildlife and habitat information

• Basic information (e.g. importance of wildlife habitat)

• Benefits (create a wildlife habitat, energy bills, fresh fruit, and aesthetical values )

• Statistics of Tippecanoe County (e.g. regional and county wide statistics on species of animals that are located within the area)

• Sources of information.

3. Tabs

3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools

What is your total property area? (sq.ft)House area?(sq.ft)Number of trees or plants?

What kind of food resources do you have?GIS survey (land/ water)Do you have places to raise young?

The survey…example

Artificial food

Artificial food + feeders

Natural fruit trees

Within 1 mile

Within 1/4 mile

>84-70-3

Within 1/2 mile

Nonexistence

Artificial nesting places

Natural nesting places

3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools

Characteristic

Low (1) Medium (2) High (3) Description

Backyard Wildlife area (area covered with native

plants, shelter, food sources, water)

25% of yard 50% of yard 75% of yard Your Total property area - house or structure area (a)Total available area

- Property not used in wildlife area(large empty yard, concrete courts,etc.)

(b)Total Habitat area available

(b)/(a)x100= % of useable area

Water sources Saucer/bird bath

Small Pond Stream/moving water source

Have link for ideas to create healthy water sources

number of trees or plants 0-3 4-7 >8 Count the diversity in yard; shade trees, tall plants, tall

shrubs Food resources Artificial food Artificial food

+ food advices Natural fruit

trees

Number of animal species with visible activity

0-3 4-7 >8 Each kind of bird should be taken as a different species.

Accommodation of native species vs. invasive species.

Invasive plants present

Making management progress on

invasive

All native species

Places to raise young Nonexistence Artificial nesting sites (e.g. nesting

boxes)

Natural trees, dense shrubs,

native grass land areas

Have link for ideas to create artificial and natural nesting

sources

Shelter for wildlife Nonexistence Artificial cover sites (e.g.

birdhouses)

Natural cover Have link for ideas to create artificial and natural shelter

places Availability of habitat value for water, food and shelter. ( x 3)

Only in summer

Spring, summer, and

fall

All seasons Should be evaluated per each variable (water, food, and

shelter) Management practices Use of

chemicals and artificial fertilizers

Use of artificial and natural fertilizers

Natural fertilizing methods

(compost)

GIS survey (Land) Within 1 mile of land

resource

Within 1/2 mile of land

resource

Within 1/4 mile of land resource

e.g. natural park, forested area.

GIS survey (Water) Within 1 mile of water resource

Within 1/2 mile of water resource

Within 1/4 mile of water resource

e.g. wetland, Wabash river, lake

3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools

Characteristic

Low (1) Medium (2) High (3) Description

Backyard Wildlife area (area covered with native

plants, shelter, food sources, water)

25% of yard 50% of yard 75% of yard Your Total property area - house or structure area (a)Total available area

- Property not used in wildlife area(large empty yard, concrete courts,etc.)

(b)Total Habitat area available

(b)/(a)x100= % of useable area

Water sources Saucer/bird bath

Small Pond Stream/moving water source

Have link for ideas to create healthy water sources

number of trees or plants 0-3 4-7 >8 Count the diversity in yard; shade trees, tall plants, tall

shrubs Food resources Artificial food Artificial food

+ food advices Natural fruit

trees

Number of animal species with visible activity

0-3 4-7 >8 Each kind of bird should be taken as a different species.

Accommodation of native species vs. invasive species.

Invasive plants present

Making management progress on

invasive

All native species

Places to raise young Nonexistence Artificial nesting sites (e.g. nesting

boxes)

Natural trees, dense shrubs,

native grass land areas

Have link for ideas to create artificial and natural nesting

sources

Shelter for wildlife Nonexistence Artificial cover sites (e.g.

birdhouses)

Natural cover Have link for ideas to create artificial and natural shelter

places Availability of habitat value for water, food and shelter. ( x 3)

Only in summer

Spring, summer, and

fall

All seasons Should be evaluated per each variable (water, food, and

shelter) Management practices Use of

chemicals and artificial fertilizers

Use of artificial and natural fertilizers

Natural fertilizing methods

(compost)

GIS survey (Land) Within 1 mile of land

resource

Within 1/2 mile of land

resource

Within 1/4 mile of land resource

e.g. natural park, forested area.

GIS survey (Water) Within 1 mile of water resource

Within 1/2 mile of water resource

Within 1/4 mile of water resource

e.g. wetland, Wabash river, lake

3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools - Results

(0-14) (14-28) (28-42)“You have the basic elements and

great opportunities to improve your backyard wildlife habitat”

(suggestions).

“Good job!, continue working in your backyard habitat”

(suggestions)

“Congratulations! you are ready for the backyard habitat

certification process”

MaximumAverage

My score

42

25

20

3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools-Backyard design

• This would include a program in which you could input the area of your yard add the area of your house and also add anything that you already have. It would look like a blueprint of your backyard.

This database would include many identifying pictures of the animal species and identifying species of the food, water or shelter needed.

Before After

3. Tabs3.2 Incentives and benefits

• Advertisement: Landscaping and gardening companies list sales.

– At least 14 Lawn and Garden suppliers in Tippecanoe. About 9 architectural services.

• Promotional coupons and links to plant and garden tool discount stores.

– Partner with these businesses and create opportunity for price benefits for residents participating in our website.

• Green practices.– Rain barrels– Rain gardens– Companion planting vs. fertilizers – Create wind block – Etc.

Best Backyard Practices

This will benefit both the

residents and the companies in the

community!

3. Tabs3.3 Get Involved

• Educational opportunities (e.g. seminars)

• Community service projects.• Networks.

Learning together

Help others to build their backyard

Wildlife Habitat

networks

3. Tabs3.3 Get Involved

• Events & Activities- listed on the Tippecanoe Co. Website• Wednesday Mar 24

Sounds of Spring- Wacky Woodcocks! • Wednesday Mar 31

Planning with POWER • Wednesday Apr 7

Watershed Management, Water Quality

Educational Opportunities Examples

• Nature Conservancy work days each month

Community Projects listed by green initiative groups

• National Wildlife Federation

Networks or Programs that residents can get involved in.

Thanks !!!

Questions?