Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview with David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation (NWF) naturalist and author of the award-winning how-to book, “Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife”, who talks about NWF’s Garden for Wildlife program and shares spring gardening tips to attract birds, butterflies, beneficial insects and other cool critters like salamanders and toads, into your garden!
The five main components of creating a sustainable habitat for wildlife, whether it be on your patio, backyard, school yard or event your business establishment, is to provide: food, water, shelter, places to raise young, and, to keep the habitat clean of toxic pesticides or fertilizers. As David shares, native plants are key to developing a sustainable habitat, and not only do they add to the beauty of a garden, they are hardier and easier to care for, and if you let nature’s ecosystems do their job, they will save you money in water and any kind of pest control supplies. This creates a clean environment for birds and wildlife, people, pets and a community. The more of us that create these habitats, the more we combat the ‘garden dead zones’ that stem from the planting of non-native plant species and the use of chemicals. Easy to create – just one plant at a time – backyard habitats thrive with a life-force that creates interest, and boosts health for people and the environment. Plus, they are fun and educational for kids!
Since 1973, NWF’s Garden for Wildlife program has been educating and empowering people to turn their garden spaces into thriving habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Not only does this program help wildlife, it also gives people a daily connection to the natural world, literally right outside their door. To date, NWF has recognized over 200,000 spaces representing 1.5 million acres as Certified Wildlife Habitats in suburban yards, schools, campuses, corporate properties, farms, parks and more. To learn more and to get started on creating your wildlife habitat, visit www.NWF.org/garden.
