creating a backyard wildlife habitat

Creating a Backyard

Wildlife Habitatem

Area Growth and Development

Habitat Loss

Anatomy of a LawnOpen space to detect danger

Anatomy of a LawnMonocultureCrop

Anatomy of a LawnHigh maintenance

WaterFoodMowing

Anatomy of a LawnSterile/Supports little to no native wildlife

Habitat Importance283 species of birds

are part time or full time residents of Mecklenburg County

The Piedmont Area is a major migratory flyway

Many species threatened by loss of breeding habitats and wintering grounds

National Wildlife Federation

Three levels of habitat certificationBackyardSchoolyard Community

WFD

The Four Elements of a HabitatFOOD WATER

SHELTER

PLACESTORAISEYOUNG

Each element is represented here…

Providing Cover…

Habitats can fit almost anywhere

If you create it, wildlife will find it

Diversity is Important

Food

Native Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Native PlantsATTRACT

AND SUSTAIN NATIVE

WILDLIFE

RESTORE BIODIVERSITY

TO LOCAL ECOSYSTEM

NEED LITTLEMAINTENANCE

PROVIDE THEWIDEST RANGE OF HABITATBENEFITS TOWILDLIFE

Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)

Buckeye (Aesculus Pavia)

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds

Multi-Seasonal fruit for birds

Cardinal Flower

(Lobelia cardinalis)

Button Bush (Cephalanthus Occidentalis)

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

A Monarch on Milkweed

Luna Rosy Maple Leopard