Black Swallowtail in Ecosystem Garden
Did you know that habitat loss due to human action is the number one reason why wildlife species are declining? Well, it’s true, but you can help reverse this trend by making some smart choices in your garden that will provide welcoming habitats to birds, butterflies, native pollinators, frogs, toads, and small mammals.
It’s just a matter of learning to make better choices that will make wildlife a priority, conserve natural resources, and make sustainable landscaping choices seem second nature in our gardens.
You’re probably thinking at this point that we already have national, state, and local parks, wildlife management areas, national wildlife refuges, and Nature Conservancy properties, so your garden can’t possibly make a difference, but nothing could be farther from the truth.
These natural areas have been chopped into smaller and smaller pieces as we’ve built roads for logging, mining, and recreation. As the parks have become more fragmented, they have become over run with invasive plants and other species that are pushing native plants and wildlife out. The parks are simply too small and too far apart to be able to provide habitat for all of our wildlife.
Your garden can become a stepping stone or corridor of safe habitat between the parks, an oasis in a sea of development and urbanization.
Here’s some ideas to get you started:
- Install rain barrels, rain gardens, and green roofs to slow the flow of stormwater into our streams and rivers, which is causing erosion and pollution.
- Decrease the size of your lawn, which will lower the demand for foreign oil, and provide more habitat for wildlife
- Use more native plants. Wildlife is dependent, either directly or indirectly, on an abundance of native plants for their survival.
Remember that every garden matters, and you can make a difference. What are you doing for wildlife in your garden?
© 2009, Carole Brown. All rights reserved.
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Beautiful photo Carole. I like the idea of making changes to my front garden and of certifying my wildlife garden. When I was outdoors building my woodland and prairie garden, several years ago, I spoke with more neighbors than I’d ever done before. People just don’t know what’s possible until they see it IRL.
Right now I’m planning my backyard wildlife garden, but I want to get closer and closer to the street, to cut down lawn area, and to “spread the word”.
Alison Kerr´s last post ..In the End
Alison, “Spreading the word” is a great idea. I’ve got some of the kids in my neighborhood coming to see the the hummingbirds in the summer, the butterflies, the woodpeckers pounding on the trees, etc. They get so excited when they see any wildlife at all. They are so amazed that there’s more to see than the pigeons, and even they can be fascinating to watch. A wildlife garden is a great way to teach children the wonders of nature.
You are right on the money. As we continue to push for better habitat conservation and attempt to avert more and more fragmentation, we often forget the little things that can be done by all of at our own homes. Creating habitat stepping stones utilizing native plants is something everyone can do!
Scott´s last post ..Burrowing Owl Mitigation is Eradication and Eviction
Thanks Scott. Remembering the little things we can do to help wildlife and create stepping stones of habitat is certainly a goal we can all aspire to.
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