Create a Wildlife Habitat




Why Do it?


  • It is fun
  • Plant some native plants
  • Attract the animals to your yard, like butterflies, frogs, lizards, birds, hummingbirds
  • Become nature friendly by gardening with the wildlife in mind, i.e. reducing the use of chemicals
  • Get others interested in creating a wildlife habitat

All wildlife needs the basics of food, water, cover and places to raise their young. A wildlife habitat does not mean you have to change your backyard into a conservation area fit for alligators. But by following some simple steps, you can make your yard inviting to butterflies, bees, even hummingbirds.



Necessities

Four elements are needed for a successful backyard habitat. Here is a list of what our habitat offers:


Food 
  • Nectar Plants
  • Lantana berries
  • Crepe Myrtle seeds
  • Oak Trees (acorns)
  • Fruit Trees (yes, we share our fruits)
  • Bird Feeder w/ black sunflower seeds
  • Compost bin




Water 
(This is really simple, small water features work well and are readily accepted by wildlife)
  • Garden Pond w/ waterway
  • Birdbath
  • Bubbling Spring (artificial)
  • 2 Fountains
  • Sprinkler System
  • Wet area



Shelter
  • Bat House, Bird House
  • Flower Pots (see picture)
  • PVC pipes as frog habitats
  • Stone cavities (man made)
  • Logs/branches pile
  • Trees and Shrubs
  • Brush, undisturbed



Places for wildlife to raise their young
(Hiding places are important, think humans, predators, weather.
  • Plants specific for caterpillars
  • Pond for tadpoles, dragonfly larvae, etc.
  • Bat House, Bird Houses
  • Mulch (lizards lay their eggs)
  • Vines (nesting Mourning Doves)
  • Trees and Shrubs (nesting Mockingbirds)


Be environmentally friendly


  • Use mulch – melaleuca or pine bark chips, don’t use cypress mulch! Bald cypresses are being harvested just for mulch!
  • Start to compost!
  • Reduce lawn areas – lawn has no value to animals but needs chemicals, too much water, and maintenance
  • Minimize outdoor water use by planting native and drought-tolerant plants.
  • Use rain barrels to collect rainwater
  • Use natural fertilizers
  • Be aware of the chemicals you are using, don’t use ‘weed and feed’ but rather do spot treatment. Opt for neem oil to fight pests on your plants.
  • Educate yourself before killing bugs, they may be the useful kind!

Go to http://www.nwf.org/backyard/ Follow the steps on that website and have your yard certified. Order and post your yard sign to show your commitment to wildlife conservation and the environment.




Myrtle Glen is Certified


Our 1/4 acre corner lot is a certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation since 2006.

Our Habitat number with the National Wildlife Federation is #75051






In 2007  we joined the HSUS Urban Wildlife Sanctuary Program. Our Sanctuary number is #919

This program was changed and is now named 'Humane Backyard'





Since 2011 Myrtle Glen is certified as Monarch Waystation Nr. 5208
and finally, it was certified as Butterfly Sanctuary Nr. 521 with the North American Butterfly Association in 2011.