Provide For Wildlife

North Carolina is blessed with a tremendous wildlife diversity of more than 17,000 native species of animals. That’s everything from bugs to critters; both terrestrial and aquatic. There are even more critters that migrate in and out of the State throughout the year. Continuing development is rapidly reducing as well as degrading habitats…leaving all types of creatures homeless. No wonder our homes seem so attractive to them. A well-planned landscape can help provide a habitat for desirable animals by providing food, water, shelter and space to meet their needs.

​

Ten tips for success in landscaping for wildlife are as follows:

1. Reduce lawn areas and encourage native groundcovers or islands of vegetation.

2. Increase vertical layering between trees and groundcovers. Add varying heights of shrubs, perennials and grasses.

3. Provide snags and brush piles away from houses to encourage insect feeders and cavity nesters.

4. Provide water sources like water gardens or shallow containers filled with pebbles so butterflies and birds don’t get their feet wet.

5. Plant native vegetation with berries, nectar-rich flowers and nuts. Be forgiving of ‘munching’ by hungry caterpillars.

6. Provide houses for critters like birds, bats, and native bees.

7. Remove invasive exotic plants as these do not provide essential nutrients for wildlife diets.

8. Allow leaf litter or mulch to remain on the ground under shrubs and trees.

9. Reduce pesticide use by spot treating and always read/follow label directions.

10. Encourage neighbors to design wild areas that connect from yard to yard to provide a wildlife corridor.

​

More Info:

https://www.ncsu.edu/goingnative/howto/

​

https://naturalearning.org/content/creating-wildlife-gardens

​

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/invite_pollinators_to_your_garden_by_creating_a_smart_habitat