Excerpted from the National Wildlife Federation’s “Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife” by David Mizejewski
Imagine a child growing up without having the opportunity to watch a tadpole changing into a frog, to smell a wildflower, or to wade in a clear stream. As we enter the 21st century, natural places and the wildlife species that inhabit them face ever-increasing pressure from human activity. Today, there are fewer places on Earth that have not been affected by the way and the rate at which we build and maintain our homes, farms and cities. As a result, natural habitat is disappearing at an alarming rate, and habitat loss is the No. 1 threat to wildlife today.
Wildlife species and the natural areas they need to survive are important and should be protected and restored. Imagine life without the song of birds and the chirping of crickets, the beauty of a windswept prairie, or the cool serenity of a green woodland. Without wild areas, humanity, as well as wildlife, suffers.
But there is hope. You can surround yourself with beautiful native plants that will attract wildlife and allow you to observe an amazing array of wildlife every day. In doing so, you will be doing your part to restore the ecology of the land on which you live.
Restoring a Vanishing Habitat
As the human population grows, it competes with wildlife for resources and space. Our agricultural and land development practices increasingly alter the landscape in ways that render it barren for wildlife.
However, you can change some of these conditions by creating a wildlife habitat in your own yard and throughout your community. By planting native plants — plants that would grow in the area naturally — and taking a few other steps, you can restore the components of habitat and invite wildlife back to the land it once occupied.
Creating a wildlife habitat is more than just planting a pretty garden. It’s actually restoring one small piece of the ecosystem. Before starting out to create a natural habitat, it is important to realize that all plant and animal species have an impact on and are affected by other living organisms and the environment around them. Science refers to this interaction as an ecosystem. Healthy ecosystems are balanced. Apply this principle to your garden and landscape plans, and you’ll create a balanced, self-sustaining mini-ecosystem that supports birds, butterflies, and a variety of wildlife species.
Learn more about the book “Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife” at the National Wildlife Federation’s Web site.
