Instructions for Encouraging Wild Native Animals to Your Backyard Habitat
In an effort to create a thriving ecosystem in your own backyard, consider the various products offered by the Audubon Shop. These items are designed to attract native wildlife while maintaining a safe and sustainable environment.
**1. Use Native-Plant-Friendly Products:**
Purchase and plant native flowering plants that attract local pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Opt for organic or chemical-free fertilizers and pest control products to avoid harming beneficial insects and wildlife.
**2. Provide Food Sources Through Bird Feeders and Feed:**
Stock bird feeders with a variety of seeds and fat balls to attract different bird species. Place feeders near natural shelters like tree branches or shrubs for added safety.
**3. Install Water Features:**
Add shallow bird baths or fountains (about 1-2 inches deep) to provide safe drinking and bathing spots for birds and beneficial insects. Position these near shrubs for added cover and clean them regularly to prevent disease.
**4. Create Shelter and Habitat:**
Incorporate birdhouses, bat houses, insect hotels, and other shelter structures to offer safe nesting and resting places. Maintain diverse garden plantings including shrubs, ground cover, and trees to provide shelter and encourage a variety of wildlife.
**5. Maintain a Chemical-Free Environment:**
Avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers which can harm wildlife and disrupt natural ecosystems. Instead, use companion planting to naturally repel pests and attract beneficial predators like spiders and praying mantises.
**6. Position Feeders and Water Sources Thoughtfully:**
Place feeders in spots that are visible for easy monitoring and maintenance but not too close to windows to prevent bird collisions. Keep water sources consistent in location to encourage repeated visits.
The Audubon Shop offers a variety of native plants, such as the Dogwood Shrub, Red Chokeberry Shrub, Potted Rose, River Birch Tree, and Jersey Tea Shrub. They also provide bird feeders like the Wooden Hopper Bird Feeder and birdhouses such as the Sparrow-resistant Bluebird House. For those seeking to support butterflies and hummingbirds, Scatter Gardens for hummingbirds and butterflies are available.
In addition, the shop offers unique items like the Wooden Butterfly House and the Convertible Winter Roost & Bird House. These products cater to the needs of various native species, making it easier than ever to create a wildlife-friendly yard.
By combining these shop-available products, you can create a wildlife-friendly yard that attracts and supports native species effectively and sustainably.
1. Enhance Your Home-and-Garden with Native Plants:Choose native plants from the Audubon Shop, such as the Dogwood Shrub, Red Chokeberry Shrub, Potted Rose, River Birch Tree, and Jersey Tea Shrub, which are designed to attract local wildlife and blend seamlessly with your lifestyle, bringing a touch of wilderness to your home-and-garden.
2. Support Wildlife with Thoughtful Gardening Practices:Adopt sustainable gardening habits by using native-plant-friendly products, like organic fertilizers, to minimize harm to beneficial insects and wildlife, while still enjoying gardening in your own backyard.
