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IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD
The Songbird Foundation, Larson Casateel Co., The Washington Native Plant Society and many generous individuals recently teamed up at the Northwest Flower and Garden show to demonstrate how our backyards can serve as sanctuaries for a tremendous variety of wildlife species.
We highlighted three components of songbird habitat that can be created ...in your own back yard.
OUR GARDENS
CREATING URBAN HABITAT
HABITAT ELEMENTS
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OUR GARDENS
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| One of two hand crafted gates donated by George Wright Designs. |
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Our gardens are living reminders of the world around us, and examples for our neighbors to follow. By practicing sustainable gardening as highlighted above, we can limit the amount of environmental damage done in our ecosystems and provide important habitat for the birds, butterflies, bugs and other critters that make this region Most urban habitat for birds and other wildlife is located not in public parks and greenbelts but in the yards around privately owned homes. The amount and diversity of life in the urban landscape directly reflect the gardening practices and plant choices of urban gardeners. Our backyards can serve as sanctuaries for songbirds, butterflies, hummingbirds and a tremendous variety of other wildlife species that could inhabit our yards.
To attract more life to your garden, begin by understanding that a system of connections exists between every living thing. Even without a background in science, you can adopt gardening practices that have a positive impact on threatened salmon and water quality in the Puget Sound and help slow the loss of habitat for birds and other wildlife.
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CREATING URBAN HABITAT
The first step toward a healthy backyard garden is to stop killing things. Gardeners disrupt connections in the web of life in many ways, but most commonly by attempting to eliminate unwanted actors in the garden through various pest and disease control practices. In fact, 98% of insects are beneficial to your garden, and most pest control strategies do not discriminate between beneficial and pest insects. Even, “safe” or “biodegradable” products used to control plant problems can upset the balance in your garden and sabotage your plants’ own defenses against pests, diseases, drought and flood.
The second step is to alter the practice of cleaning up. A perfectly tidy and organized garden is devoid of life and habitat. Leaving plant debris as organic mulch benefits both plants and wildlife. Dead and snag trees provide food and essential shelter for a multitude of wildlife and their food. However, non-native noxious or invasive plant material that will re-seed or continue to spread should be removed from the garden.
The third, and perhaps most important, step to a healthy habitat for wildlife in the backyard is to plant native species that provide cover, water, food and nesting materials. While keeping the non-invasive, ornamental plants you have grown to love, be sure that the bulk of the plants in your backyard are those that are native to the region. Native plants will supply food year-round for wildlife, and care should be given to plant species that will provide acorns, nuts, berries and other seeds. Water sources are also critical for wildlife. Some native plants that will encourage wildlife in your backyard are:
| Kinninkinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) |
Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) |
| Lupine (Lupinus ssp.) |
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) |
| Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana) |
Snowberry (Symporicarpos albus) |
| Oregon Grape-tall or low (Mahonia ssp.) |
Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa) |
| Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica californica) |
Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) |
| Red-flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) |
Western Red-cedar (Thuja plicata) |
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HABITAT ELEMENTS
FOOD: Provide a variety of native plants for a year-round source. Supplement with bird feeders especially in urban areas with limited space (seeds, insects, pollen, fruit, nectar, berries, foliage).
WATER: Provide a fresh source of drinking water, a place to bathe and a nursery for frogs and dragonflies. The sound of water attracts wildlife.
SHELTER: Provide plants with varying height levels for a variety of species. Provide thickets, branches and rock piles for cover and shelter.
NEST SITES: Provide evergreen trees, shrubs and hedges, tree snags, stumps and logs as places to raise young.
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Snag: perching, food/insects, nesting |
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Pond: water, food, dragonfly and frog nursery |
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Birdbath: water, bathing |
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Log edge: shelter, food/insects, perching, nesting |
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Container planting: variety for seasonal changes |
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Thorny thicket: protective cover |
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Bird feeders: food source |
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Beach edge: bathing |
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Bird houses: shelter |
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Branch or stone piles: shelter |
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Fountain: sound attracts wildlife |
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Diversity: rich plant materials mixed with natives |
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Please Visit These Organizations to Learn More:
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SPECIAL THANKS:
The Larson Casteel Company
Landscape Architecture
Laurie Larson and Brad C. Pugh
360-297-2444
Magnolia Hi-Fi
Foxglove Nursery
Kingston, WA
360-297-0410
Marenakos Rock Center
Sundquist Nursery
Poulsbo, WA
360-779-6343
Louis D’Amico
Copper Leaves
360-379-5726
Pacific Stone Company
Everett, WA
425-258-1911
Briggs Nursery
Premier Rentals
Kingston, WA
360-297-8320
George Wright Designs
D. George
(206) 567-0038
Roadhouse Nursery
Water Garden Plants
360-779-9589
Fowl Places
Birdhouses
Dunn Lumber
Fresh Ground Design
(206) 463-3256
Brochure design by:
Studio Pacific
Printed by:
Girlie Press
Paper supplied by:
Unisource Paper Co.
Printed on recycled Productolith 80# cover
Thank you to our cover photographers:
Idie Ulsh, Clayton J. Antieau and RW&MR SmithLake Washington Technical College Environmental Horticulture Program Students
And special, special thanks to:
Alex Morgan, Peg Pearson, Judy Werle and Jason Werle
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