A Place to be, for you and me.

Habitat: the region or environment where a plant or animal is normally found.

All living things have their own natural habitat.  As an example, the ocean is the habitat of whales, dolphins and starfish.  A desert is the habitat of lizards, cactus and snakes.  The jungle is the habitat of gorillas, parrots and orchids.  The forest is the habitat of bears, warblers and ferns. 

As cities and towns grow and people move into new areas, our wild neighbours find themselves with less and less space to live their lives.  Forests are being destroyed and many natural habitats are disappearing.

We can help some wild animals find a place to be by landscaping our yards and creating new habitat.  Unfortunately, many wildlife species will never be comfortable living near humans.  That's why it's so important that we protect wildlife habitat wherever possible.

What should you plant for the benefit of wildlife?

 Mr. Blackbird's Top Twenty List for Best-dressed Yards

Do you wonder what kind of birds might come to your yard?  Some of that depends on what's growing in your neighbourhood.  Different trees, vines and flowers attract different birds.  Here's an example of what some birds like best:

And Mister Blackbird's pick for best-dressed yard is: DOGWOOD. 
This well-loved bush is a sure-fire hit with its lush foliage and white berries.

Some plants, shrubs and trees won't grow just anywhere.  They require specific conditions, because plants have their own natural habitats, too.  You can check with your local plant store, greenhouse or nursery to find out which plants will grow best in your yard.

Accessories for the well-dressed yard:

There are things you can plant in your yard that you'll enjoy looking at but will also attract all kinds of visitors.

If you'd like to try to plant a butterfly garden or a hummingbird garden or just want to know more about which flowers and plants might attract some curious visitors, go to "gardening for wildlife", at:

http://birding.about.com/hobbies/pastimes/birding/msubmenu.htm

A Warning from Mother Nature

The safest habitat for wildlife is one that is natural and free of pesticides and chemicals.  When we spray our plants and trees with pesticides or use products on the lawn to remove weeds, it creates a danger to all the wildlife that comes to our yards.  These chemicals are more than dangerous to wildlife:  they are killers of wildlife.  There are natural ways to care for our plants, trees and lawns, and they're worth looking for. Most garden centres, green houses and plant nurseries will sell products and have information on safe and natural ways to care for your yard.

If you have a lot of cats or dogs running free in your neighbourhood, that also presents a serious danger to wildlife.  It's probably better not to put up feeders and nesting boxes if the wild animals run the risk of being harmed by pets. This is especially true for baby animals that have not yet learned about their enemies and the dangers all around them.

The Benefits of Sharing

When you've invited nature into your own backyard, she'll say "thank you" by showing you all the mysteries of her wonderful wild animals.  Give her a helping hand, and they'll always be there to enjoy.

Activity

Once you've had a chance to watch and listen to some wild birds, you can test your observational skills and see how much you've learned.  To play an "identify the bird" game, you can go to:

http://www.tomorrowfund.org/birdtest.html