National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat Program

1
National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife
Habitat Program
2
Why create habitat for wildlife?

• These habitats
• require little or no pesticides, fertilizers, or
  excess watering
• keep water and air resources clean
• are healthier for people and wildlife
• beautify our urban areas and give residents pride
  in their neighborhoods.

3
What is habitat certification?

• Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats provide FOUR
  basic elements wildlife need to thrive
• food
• water
• cover
• places to raise young

4
Element 1 - FOOD

• Wildlife rely on native plants for food. These
  plants are adapted to each region and dont
  require much long-term care
• Rocky Mountain juniper
• Black chokecherry
• Blue flax
• Blue grama grass
• Serviceberry
• Twin-leaf arnica
• and many more

5
Element 2 - WATER

• Bird baths, ponds, streams, and rivers provide
  dependable, fresh water sources for wildlife and
  aquatic and amphibious species.

6
Element 3 - COVER

• Wildlife need places to hide from predators and
  find shelter from weather
• Existing live and dead vegetation
• Downed logs
• Brush and rock piles
• Dense shrub cover
• Good cover indicates diverse plant communities
  and healthy, heterogenous habitats.

7
Element 4 PLACES TO RAISE YOUNG

• Wildlife need long-term shelter for raising their
  young
• Live trees and shrubs for birds
• Snags for owls, flying squirrels and other
  cavity-nesters
• Birdhouses and bat houses
• Boughs and piles of plants for rabbits, mice and
  snakes
• Ponds and wetlands for frogs, toads, and insects
• Butterflies require host plants for reproduction

8
(No Transcript)
9
Your task

• You are wildlife habitat experts tasked with
  evaluating the U of M campus as a possible
  candidate for Wildlife Habitat Certification. As
  part of the evaluation you must
• Use GPS and digital photography to document the
  suitability of areas on campus for wildlife
  habitat (4 vital elements).
• Look for good areas, and those that need
  improvement. How can they be improved?
• Note your observations at each location youll
  use them later!
• Create a Google Earth tour to present your
  findings to the campus community