Urban and suburban landscapes, often a sea of buildings and lawns, can create “deserts” for native insects, birds, and furry friends. However, the amazing truth is that these very same residential properties can play an important role as wildlife corridors, like an oasis for a traveler.  

While dreaming up your ideal back or front yard, consider a few key factors based on the National Wildlife Federation list of habitat essentials:  

Food

Just like us, all critters need food. In the plant world, this can come in the form of berries and seeds, or nectar producing flowers. Some fruit producing favorites of mine are the Saskatoon Serviceberry, cockspur hawthorn, and mountain ash.

Keep in mind that berries and seeds could attract large critters (most famously, bears!), so if you want to instead provide food to our smaller friends, grow nectar-producing flowers instead.

Some beautiful blooming options that will delight both you and your winged neighbors are butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia), and penstemons (humminbgirds are particularly attracted to red varieties, such as Penstemon barbatus). 

Water

A water source can come in many forms, from a natural lake or to a man-made bird bath. If you choose to have a bird bath, keep in mind that it will need to be cleaned regularly, and placed near shrubs or trees so that the bathing birds can quickly seek cover if threatened. 

Cover

Wildlife needs shelter. If you have a larger space, designating an unseen corner of your yard for a brush or leaf pile can serve as cover for small beings. One of my favorite options, as they can be quite sculptural, is to leave “snags” in your yard. Snags are dead trees that are left upright to decompose naturally, and can provide habitat for small birds and insects. 

Keep in mind that decomposing limbs may need to be pruned off before they decide to fall off on their own schedule! 

Place to Raise Young

The specific needs of each species to raise their young vary widely. Amphibians need ponds to lay eggs, and birds need nesting spots and insects. Having an array of different sized plant material can serve the purposes of different nesting wildlife. Nesting boxes are a great way to add homes for your local birds… swallow boxes will also bring in a natural mosquito control! 

Sustainable Gardening Practices

Contribute in an active way to the ecosystem of your yard. From pumping the brakes on your spring cleanup to let hibernating insects wake naturally, to using natural organic matter as opposed to synthetic fertilizers, there are numerous ways to maintain the beauty of your garden once it’s installed. Thoughtful maintenance is an important part of responsible land stewardship. 

Considering these five factors will not only contribute to your local biodiversity, it will add meaning, interest, and opportunities for you and your family to connect to nature just outside your door. This is a time to get creative, and be rewarded by birdsong, buzzing bees, and precious moments that happen so quick, sometimes you don’t even have time to grab the camera. Enjoy the show! 

Emma Friedland is a 2021 CMG graduate. She is the Lead Horticulturist at the Yampa River Botanic Park and a local residential landscape designer with a special interest in art, ecology, and connection.