This spring

This spring, leave some “wild”

Make a Backyard Habitat

This stream bank has been left with a natural strip of trees and other

plants, making it a fun place for Iain McAlister to play!

Did you know that the state of Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife has a Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program?

The Backyard Wildlife Habitat Kit explains how to landscape your yard for wildlife

The kit also explains how you can get your Backyard Habitat certified. If you meet minimum standards for providing food, cover, and water for wildlife you can receive a Backyard Wildlife certificate and an “I’m Going Wild in My Backyard” sign to display in your yard.

To order a kit call 1-800-858-1549 and ask for the gift shop. Each kit costs $12 plus $2 for shipping and handling.

The Backyard Wild Habitat Program recommends a high diversity of plants. “A yard with lawn grass and large shade trees will be used by fewer wildlife species than a yard that also has small trees, shrubs, tall grasses and wildflowers.”

Even a small area will attract interesting wildlife, especially if it has a source of water such as a water container, or bird bath.

If you can get neighbors involved with connecting wildlife areas, even more species will benefit.

If you have several acres, by mowing only criss-crossed trails you can have great fun for all ages. You’ll have an interesting path for walking or jogging, or for the kids to play hide and seek. You’ll have ever changing wildflowers, and an assortment of birds, mammals, butterflies, and maybe frogs and turtles.

Figure out how much lawn you actually need for ball playing or other uses. Why don’t you take at least some of the rest of your property and plant trees, let it go wild, or make a butterfly, hummingbird or songbird garden from native plants? Decrease mowing, watering, noise, and pollution.

Have fun with your yard this spring: Go wild.