By Cre Woodard
Sun contributor
My first landscaping job in northern Michigan involved working on a pond for a friend, a man of grand creative vision and gardening courage.
We went all out! At night, I would dream about the rare and exotic plant materials we would buy for the pond. It turned out beautifully.
Early the next spring, I returned to his house to work on yet another project. My friend was kind enough to house me for a week in a cozy garage apartment.
One night, a rainstorm blew in and my friend appeared at the door armed only with a flashlight.
“You have got to come out here,” he said, excitedly. “Something is happening.”
Led only by the flashlight’s beam, we rushed down the hill toward the pond. The flashlight illuminated an unforgettable scene: hundreds of bubbling, frothing, trilling, chirping stacked-up frogeyes and their floating egg masses.
What had we done there in the woods, far away from any water? Created habitat, of course.
I’ve come a long way since that first unintentional habitat and have instinctively moved toward intentionally building habits.
We’re all becoming increasingly aware of the consequences fragmented habitats are having on our plant, bird, bee and other wildlife populations. The results of failing vital ecological relationships, developed over thousands of years of natural and cultural selection, are devastating the webs that connect our natural world.
Nature needs our help
Imagine a world without birds, bees, butterflies or bugs (pollinators). It would be a world without fruit, flowers, vegetables, coffee — even chocolate.
There is a saying, “one of every three bites you take, thank a pollinator.”
Think about this: Animals can roam around to find a mate, but plants are rooted in the ground. That means they need to be connected to the web by the pollinators.
Pollination is not a free service any more. It requires a commitment from you, the private landowner, to protect and sustain the plants, pollinators and animals that we absolutely depend on. We need to connect the dots between cities, towns, parks back yards, porches and the essential flyways and precious breeding grounds of the world.
Creating a backyard habitat is easy. It’s not much different from what most of us are already doing. You don’t even need much space. Even a few containers can attract perusing pollinators.
Since developing habitat in my dune garden, I’ve been fortunate to cohabit with a fox (who brings her pups), feed numerous birds, watch two bobcats and enjoy black and gray squirrels, an opossum and many chipmunks (including my dear friend Mr. No-Tail).
Now that spring is here, get out there and develop your own personal habitat. Mother Nature will thank you.
The basics of habitat landscaping
• No herbicides or pesticides! (You simply don’t need them in your gardens or lawn. Honest!). Buy organic produce whenever you can.
• Use native plants: Natives have evolved closely with native insects. Because they are well adapted to our climate and soil conditions, they will be easy to care for. In general, the larger the variety (of plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulbs, grasses and herbs), the longer the season.
Whether choosing native plants, their relatives or best friends, look for old-fashion varieties. Many cultivars have been bred to look and smell nice for us, but often lack accessible nectar or pollen for their animal and insect partners.
• Provide water: Anything will do — shallow dishes laid on the ground, bird bathes, sprinklers even mud puddles can provide essential minerals. Ponds and water features of all kinds provide homes for toads, frogs, salamanders and snakes, dragonflies and damselflies.
• Always feed the birds. Adult birds eat seeds in winter and while traveling, but when rearing young they require fats and protein, insect, grubs, worms. Try to find some small area for a decaying log or two.
• Shelter: Bird, bat and butterfly houses, brush and wood piles, areas left wild and unattended all provide shelter. Butterflies like large flat stones to land on to warm their bodies in the sun.
