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 ever-
shrinking space can mean the
death of individuals and, in the
worst case, extinction.
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.
When designing your landscape
to increase available space for
different species, also think
about your own plans for
interacting with wildlife.
If you are trying to attract a
lot of birds, place feeders and
natural food sources in clear
view from your window.
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 well-
designed and built around
native plants, be relatively self-
sustaining.
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."
Neighbors as a Team
In some parts of the country,
whole neighborhoods are
starting to work together, each
family contributing something –
water, feeders, shrubs with
winter berries – to the
combined landscape.
In other situations,
communities are working to
enhance common areas, such
as public parks or retirement
home properties.
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.
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.
Sixteen Components of Wildlife Habitat
– Landscaping for Wildlife
Structural
Components
Plant
Components
Feeders
