BobTheBuilder
10-27-2004, 07:03 PM
Help wildlife
One of the biggest problems facing wild animals today is loss of native habitat. Human encroachment on wild spaces means less natural food, water and shelter sources for wildlife. If you live in a rural or suburban area you can easily attract and increase the wildlife in your neighborhood.
To safely attract wildlife:
Create a water source. Water is the primary need of all life and by providing a fresh and constant source you increase the odds of survival for local species. Birdbaths and back yard ponds are a great way to accomplish this and create an aesthetically pleasing area in your yard.
Provide food. A second need for sustaining life is food, the more natural the better. If you have the space, try planting a small garden of ‘wild friendly’ foods such as seed corn, sunflowers, blueberries or blackberries. If possible, use plants that fruit or seed at different times of year to provide a year-round food source. If space is limited or soil conditions are undesirable, place feeders in accessible locations and offer food choices that attract several different species.
Offer shelter. Animals need shelter for protection from weather and predators. Bushes, hedgerows and small brush piles near the edge of the yard all provide excellent cover and shelter. Hang bird and bat boxes for nesting and roosting species, too.
Human encroachment being what it is, the quest for food and shelter can sometimes lead animals into dangerous situations. If you live in an urban setting or heavily populated area, it can be more beneficial to discourage wildlife rather than entice it.
To discourage wildlife from unsafe places:
Clean up possible food and water attractants. Turn buckets upside-down. Clean BBQ grilles. Properly bag and store garbage and clean up excess pet food.
Remove brush and high weeds from the yard and keep plants and bushes trimmed well off the ground. Also, stack building materials on blocks or saw horses.
Exclude wildlife with fences. Maintain underpinning and chimney grates and firmly pack holes around external plumbing.
One of the biggest problems facing wild animals today is loss of native habitat. Human encroachment on wild spaces means less natural food, water and shelter sources for wildlife. If you live in a rural or suburban area you can easily attract and increase the wildlife in your neighborhood.
To safely attract wildlife:
Create a water source. Water is the primary need of all life and by providing a fresh and constant source you increase the odds of survival for local species. Birdbaths and back yard ponds are a great way to accomplish this and create an aesthetically pleasing area in your yard.
Provide food. A second need for sustaining life is food, the more natural the better. If you have the space, try planting a small garden of ‘wild friendly’ foods such as seed corn, sunflowers, blueberries or blackberries. If possible, use plants that fruit or seed at different times of year to provide a year-round food source. If space is limited or soil conditions are undesirable, place feeders in accessible locations and offer food choices that attract several different species.
Offer shelter. Animals need shelter for protection from weather and predators. Bushes, hedgerows and small brush piles near the edge of the yard all provide excellent cover and shelter. Hang bird and bat boxes for nesting and roosting species, too.
Human encroachment being what it is, the quest for food and shelter can sometimes lead animals into dangerous situations. If you live in an urban setting or heavily populated area, it can be more beneficial to discourage wildlife rather than entice it.
To discourage wildlife from unsafe places:
Clean up possible food and water attractants. Turn buckets upside-down. Clean BBQ grilles. Properly bag and store garbage and clean up excess pet food.
Remove brush and high weeds from the yard and keep plants and bushes trimmed well off the ground. Also, stack building materials on blocks or saw horses.
Exclude wildlife with fences. Maintain underpinning and chimney grates and firmly pack holes around external plumbing.