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Turning Your Yard Into a Habitat for Wildlife

Transform your yard into a wildlife habitat with the help of the Volusia County Extension Service. Learn the basics of providing space, cover, food, and water to attract a variety of wildlife species.

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Turning Your Yard Into a Habitat for Wildlife

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  1. Turning Your Yard Into a Habitat for Wildlife Developed by the Volusia County Extension Service

  2. Provide the Basics and They Will Come • Space • Cover • Food • Water

  3. Space is defined as: • Territory. The area defended by an animal. • Home range. The area an animal actually uses for life-sustaining needs. • Vertical space. The area from the ground cover to the canopy that an animal needs for food and shelter.

  4. Space Many animals need as much up and down space as they do around space. Establish plant layers from groundcover to canopy. You will be amazed at the amount and variety of wildlife that can share a small area as long as they have vertical space.

  5. Water A source of water is essential to all wildlife. Not only for drinking, some need it to complete their life cycle. A small pond with gently sloping sides allows many kinds of wildlife to satisfy their requirements. The sound of water dripping from a full milk jug with a pin hole suspended over a birdbath will attract the wildlife.

  6. A reliable source of water is an attraction most wildlife can’t resist

  7. A dish filled with sand or pebbles and water allows the butterfly to drink through it’s proboscis

  8. Food Plants are the primary source of energy. They are the only living thing that can transform sunlight into useable energy through photosynthesis, thus, the food chain begins. Diversity of plant succession will support the greatest diversity of native wildlife.

  9. Variety is the spice of life. In addition to artificial feeders, it’s always a good idea to provide natural foods. Plant trees, shrubs and flowers which produce berries, nuts, fruits and nectar.

  10. A variety of food sources will attract a variety of wildlife

  11. Cover/Shelter Wild life species need protection from both predators and weather. Cover requirements are almost as diverse as food requirements. Bird houses are fine but don’t forget the natural element. Tall grasses and bushy shrubs make a great hide-a-way.

  12. Burrows provide underground refuge

  13. A brush pile canquickly turn into a condo for little critters.

  14. Frogs aren’t fussy! PVC or plants will do just fine for a shady resting spot

  15. Over 48 species of cavity nesting birds can call a dead tree or “snag” home

  16. Cold blooded butterflies use the heat from a baking rock to warm up

  17. Attract what you like with specialty bird houses and feeders, but don’t be surprised when other critters show up

  18. Plant Succession • Bare ground • Annual forbs and/or grasses • Perennial forbs and grasses • Shrubs • Young woodland (Less than 70 years old) • Mature woodland

  19. Turning Your Yard Into a Habitat for Wildlife Developed by the Volusia County Extension Service

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