The size of the animal isn’t always the determining factor. Woodchucks can be found as densely populated as ten per acre, with a range of only a quarter of a mile, but opossums, which are similar in size, are only found two per mile, with a range of 12 acres. Needs within one species also vary. Adult turkeys need mature trees to roost in and to provide food such as acorns, but their young require clearings with short grass where they can find insects to eat. Some species, such as bluebirds, will defend a territorial area, while others like purple martins enjoy living in close communities. While we can adapt fairly easily to cramped quarters, the wildlife need for space refers to more than actual distance between individuals. It means the total environment within that area. Squeezing species into evershrinking space can mean the death of individuals and, in the worst case, extinction.
Feeders
Structural Components
Plant Components
Sixteen Components of Wildlife Habitat – Landscaping for Wildlife
If photography is your aim, be sure that there is some shelter to hide behind while watching animals drink and bathe. While improving habitat certainly benefits wildlife, it should also bring you pleasure and, if welldesigned and built around native plants, be relatively selfsustaining.
family contributing something – water, feeders, shrubs with winter berries – to the combined landscape.
When designing your landscape to increase available space for different species, also think about your own plans for interacting with wildlife.
It is very important to landscape our own properties to be more supportive of wildlife, but it is equally important to encourage others to do the same. By linking a number of yards, farms, and small tracts of trees through the efforts of individual owners, we are giving creatures a much greater chance to thrive by creating “wildlife corridors."
By improving one’s own property, others notice the increased beauty and pleasure, and they are inspired to follow that example. In this way, small changes can add up to major benefits to wildlife and the overall environment.
If you are trying to attract a lot of birds, place feeders and natural food sources in clear view from your window.
Neighbors as a Team In some parts of the country, whole neighborhoods are starting to work together, each
Variety Attracts Variety By increasing the variety of foods, types of vegetation, and heights of habitat, as well as offering plentiful nourishment and water, you will be able to attract the widest variety of wildlife to your property.
© WindStar Wildlife Institute
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In other situations, communities are working to enhance common areas, such as public parks or retirement home properties.
Start today to think about ways to provide the four essentials for wildlife, and soon you will be an integral part of the growing movement to restore habitat and increase the survival of our country’s wildlife species.
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