Imagine if Doing Just One Thing Could Really Make a Difference for Wildlife
I know this sounds hokey, but it’s true. We could make a huge difference for our local wildlife if each of us chose just one item to help wildlife in our gardens. Really. You don’t have to redesign the landscape of your entire property. You don’t have to rip out your entire lawn (although parting with some would be a great improvement for wildlife right there). You don’t have to become a native plant purist. You just have to choose one helpful task and do it. If we each did just that much, struggling wildlife populations would have a better chance.
What is the one thing You can do for Wildlife?
There are many to choose from. Your one thing will depend on many factors, but the important thing is to just pick one. Here are some suggestions:
- Plant a patch of milkweed and help a Monarch Butterfly on its amazing round-trip journey to Mexico and back.
- A native cedar, viburnum, or holly can help a flock of Cedar Waxwings survive another cold winters night
- A caterpillar host plant will ensure the next generation of butterflies
- Install a raingarden and give a home to a family of toads
- Some cardinal flower, trumpet honeysuckle, and monarda will delight you with a season of hummingbirds
- Replace just 10% of your lawn with a patch of native wildflowers and help protect native pollinators
- Install a bat house. They are in serious trouble and they help control unwanted insects
- A garden pond will provide endless delight with dazzling dragonflies, singing frogs, bathing birds and more
- Fill that empty space in your garden bed with a native plant
The point is, there are many things each of us can do, but if each of us did just one thing, can you imagine the difference we could make when we all work together?
What is your one thing? What are you doing to help wildlife in your garden?
© 2009 – 2010, Carole Brown. All rights reserved.
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Yes, I’d do just one thing. Actually I plan to do more than one thing, but it’s good to have a reminder that implementing one thing is more effective than planning a dozen things and doing none of them!
I have an 8 year old shade and prairie garden which needs renovated. That’s my current project. Now that the weather is cooling I need to get outside and remove some lawn to expand the area a bit; I have some sun-loving natives which need relocated, especially the little bluestem. I plan to bring in some native shade-tolerant shrubs which will attract butterflies – so far native hydrangea and virginia sweetspire are on my list. This is a good project for me because it’s manageable from the time/labor and money point of view.
Alison Kerr´s last post ..Edible Landscaping
Wow, Alison, what a great project. Let us know how it goes!
This year our One Thing was the hummingbird attractants: lots of monarda, lobelia cardinalis, and assorted appealing (but non-native) annuals. This year Jen has seen hummingbirds almost weekly.
The Hummingbirds have been great this year. I still have several in the garden as they make their way south.
I started with a pond. The fun and pleasure I have had with that over the years has been amazing. From the dragon flies to the frogs and the birds that use it for bathing and drinking – it is wonderful.
The great thing is that nature is its own teacher and as you start with one thing it leads to much more. This year I am making places for ladybirds to winter.
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