My Backyard Habitat
Here’s what you can do to attract birds and animals to your backyard:
1. Make a map of your backyard, showing:
The existing plants that might provide food (such as acorns, nuts, berries, seeds, buds, or nectar) for wildlife


Birdfeeders


Birdbaths or other water sources


Plants that provide shelter (such as dense shrubs, evergreens, brush piles)


Places for birds and wildlife to raise their young (trees, shrubs, birdhouses)
2. Think about what types of birds and/or animals you want to attract to your yard. Research the types of plants and trees that will attract them (provide food, shelter, and/or places to raise young). (The National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Habitat Web site is a good place to start: (www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat.)

3. Plant some of your favorite plants and/or trees that you’ve found will attract wildlife and provide food, shelter, and places to raise young.

4. Make sure that your backyard has a year-round source of water.

5. If you want to, you can get certified as an official Backyard Habitat from the National Wildlife Federation (see the NWF web site for the certification application).