Habitat garden: IWF. Fishing: Morguefile. Bird feeders: IWF. White-tailed deer: Morguefile

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1 2016, Indiana Wildlife Federation. This material contained in this presentation may not be reproduced or distributed, wholly or in part, without the express permission of the Indiana Wildlife Federation. All attributed material contained herein retains protection under its original copyright. A Program of:

2 Habitat garden: IWF Fishing: Morguefile Bird feeders: IWF White-tailed deer: Morguefile

3 Wildlife Friendly Landscape Conventional Landscape Turf grass lawn: IWF Native landscaping: IWF

4 Ecosystem: IWF All plants and animals (including humans!) interact with each other and their environment, creating ecosystems. They can be any size, from your backyard to the entire world. Many factors affect ecosystems. These influencers can be as small as mowing, fertilizing, and planting or as large as emissions, oils spills, and deforestation.

5 AGENDA: Wildlife s Basic Needs Food Water Shelter Places to Raise Young Common Questions On Habitats Sustainable Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance Strategies for Specific Wildlife Next Steps

6 Nuts or hard mast Fleshy fruits or soft mast Seeds Other plant parts Monarch: Morguefile Insects/prey Elderberry: IWF A variety of plants will support different wildlife in every season by providing food, shelter, and nesting space Oak acorn: IWF Extra feeders can be used until your native plants are established Black capped chickadee: Morguefile

7 Water sources can come in any size or shape, from a shallow dish to a bird bath to a pond or stream! Birdbath: Pixabay Water entering your yard evaporates, is taken up by plants, or filters into the soil and runs off into storm water systems, streams, or rivers. Dragonfly: IWF

8 ESCAPE SHELTER THERMAL SHELTER Creekbed: Morguefile Provides safety for wildlife when accessing food or water Brush pile: IWF Brush piles, mature trees, ponds, tall grasses, rock piles, and dense shrubbery are all useful cover for wildlife! Protects wildlife from the rain, wind, cold, and heat

9 Adding nesting places for wildlife increases a species longterm survival! Examples include: tree cavities fallen branches burrows and tunnels aquatic plants Fox squirrels: Morguefile Robin s eggs: Morguefile Cottontail rabbits: IWF

10 AGENDA: Wildlife s Basic Needs Questions On Habitats Benefits Native Plants Invasive Species Sustainable Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance Strategies for Specific Wildlife Next Steps

11 Place for exercising, socializing, and relaxing Helps filter and clean air and water Helps conserve energy by cooling area around homes Keeps soil healthy and stable Backyard with native plants: IWF Natives in winter: IWF Promotes human health and well-being (emotionally, physically) Encourages children to explore & learn Provides beauty & interest all year long Enhances property value Lowers landscaping costs Offers connection to wildlife & nature and preserves local ecosystems

12 Biodiversity crisis Insects and plants have evolved in concert natives are critical to nature s food chain 90% of plant-eating insects are species specific Need natives to provide nutrients for insects and wildlife Office prairie: IWF Benefits Provides food and shelter for wildlife and insects Minimal Maintenance Hold the soil Absorb the rainfall Naturally regenerates Prairie blazing star: Morguefile

13 1) grow aggressively, 2) outcompete natives, 3) have no natural predators. Bush honeysuckle: IWF Invasives can come in all shapes and sizes and can be plants or animals! Asian bush honeysuckle Garlic mustard Winged burning bush Wintercreeper Gypsy moth Emerald ash borer Winged burning bush: IWF Emerald ash borer: IDNR

14 Native plants in an ecosystem: IWF

15 AGENDA: Wildlife s Basic Needs Common Questions On Habitats Sustainable Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance Wildlife-Friendly Yard Care More Yard Care Tips Save Water with Natives Strategies for Specific Wildlife Next Steps

16 Mow correctly Keep soil healthy with native plants! Lawnmower: Morguefile Healthy soil: Morguefile

17 COMPOST Compost tumbler: IWF PERVIOUS ORGANIC MULCH Brick pavers: IWF Wood chip and leaf mulch: Morguefile Gravel path: Morguefile

18 Save water by Bergamot: IWF Rattlesnake master: IWF Natives need much less water than exotics and turf grass Experiment with native grasses over turf Plant a rain garden Butterflyweed: IWF

19 AGENDA: Wildlife s Basic Needs Common Questions On Habitats Sustainable Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance Strategies for Specific Wildlife Butterflies and Pollinators Birds Reptiles and Amphibians Choosing Native Plants Next Steps

20 For Pollinators: Use native plants try various shapes & colors Avoid pesticides Keep brush piles For Birds: Nesting place Use feeders that are safe from seed thieves & predators Water source For Amphibians & Reptiles: Water source Flat, warm places for sunning & shady places for cooling Bee and bergamot: Pixabay Red admiral: IWF Goldfinches: Morguefile Fowler s toad: Morguefile

21 POLLINATORS Blue wild indigo Yellow coneflower Purple prairie clover Wild bergamot PRAIRIE GRASSES Prairie dropseed Sideoats grama Little and big bluestems PRAIRIE Smooth blue aster Nodding onion Showy black-eyed Susan BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES Butterflyweed Rough blazing star Foxglove beardtongue WETLAND Swamp milkweed Common rush Blue flag iris Spotted Joe Pye weed WOODLAND Wild columbine Spicebush Wild ginger American cranberry For expanded plant lists, check out

22 AGENDA: Wildlife s Basic Needs Common Questions On Habitats Sustainable Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance Strategies for Specific Wildlife Next Steps Local Examples Certification

23 The Nature Conservancy, Indianapolis Purdue University, West Lafayette TNC office: IWF Central Park, Founder s Park (Carmel) Geist Christian Church (Fishers) Butler University s Clowes Hall (Indy) Purdue green roof: IWF Ridgefield Subdivision common area (Fishers) Lilly Sustainable Gardens (Indy)

24 Get your wildlife-friendly yard certified and post a sign. The Indiana Wildlife Federation offers a joint certification with the National Wildlife Federation visit the IWF website for details.

25 Wildlife needs 4 things to survive: food, water, shelter and a place to raise young. Protecting Indiana s habitats is essential to helping wildlife. There are environmental, social, and economic benefits to a wildlife-friendly backyard. Biodiversity is key for healthy, sustainable habitats of all sizes. Invasive species pose a great threat but anyone can help battle them! EVEN SMALL CHANGES in your yard can make a BIG difference. Be sure to check out the IWF website for more information and helpful resources!

26 Mallard: Pixabay Kids outdoors: Pixabay Monarch: Morguefile Hunting: Pixabay Promoting the conservation, sound management, and sustainable use of Indiana's wildlife and wildlife habitat for over 75 years. Statewide, grassroots, membership-based nonprofit Science-based education and advocacy State affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation Find us online at or on social media:

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