Wildlife Habitat Gardens

Wildlife Habitats and Certification

Urbanization and development have resulted in a loss of habitat to wildlife. Making your yard wildlife friendly helps replenish the lost resources that are critical to the survival of bees, butterflies, birds, and amphibians. But you will not only be helping wildlife, but you will also get to enjoy hours of fun watching various critters visit your yard.

Wildlife certification is provided through the National Wildlife Federation. It includes:

• Food
• Water
• Cover
• Places to raise young
• Sustainable practices

Ala Carte Options

Bird Garden

According to researchers, nearly 3 billion birds have disappeared since 1970. The causes are varied, however, creating a bird friendly yard can help conserve species. Creasting a bird friendly garden will bring a variety of bird species to your yard along with hours of enjoyment. A bird garden will include amenities such as

• Food
• Feeders
• Plants
• Water Source
• Shelter
• Nesting Areas

Pollinator Garden

• Food
  • Native flowering and trees provide nectar and pollen

• Cover
  • Cluster some plantings to provide shelter and camouflage from predators
• Places to Raise Young
  • Milkweed for Monarchs
  • Many native bees are solitary. They may lay eggs in tiny tunnels in dead trees, or in a bundle of sticks or hollow stems. Leave natural sources in your yard or provide insect or bee hotels.
• Sustain Healthy Pollinator Habitat
  • Avoid pesticides, even organic, because any pesticide may kill beneficial insects like ladybugs, predatory wasps, and lacewings. Better to attract beneficial insects that will take care of pests.
• Provide Clean Water
  • Put out a shallow dish of water or a bee bath. Most birdbaths and other water sources are too deep for small insects and may drown in them. 

Rain Garden

A rain garden is a depressed area filled with plants that is designed to absorb and filter water runoff from roofs, driveways, and sidewalks. A rain garden is attractive and helps to preserve the quality of our water.

Runoff from rain, especially storm water, flows so quickly that it doesn’t have time to be absorbed into the ground. Therefore, it carries pollutants, which end up in our creeks and waterways.

A rain garden is designed to keep water on the land. Additionally, the plants in a rain garden help to filter out pollutants, keeping our groundwater safe. 

Additional Gardens

• Vegetable Gardens
• Herb Gardens