Habitat Preservation

As America's landscape becomes increasingly covered with neighborhoods, shopping malls, and farm fields, our native wildlife has fewer and fewer places to live.  Although your yard can never be the mature forest or prairie many animals would prefer, there is still a lot you can do to benefit wildlife and increase your own enjoyment of nature.

Native Vegetation

Native animals have evolved over centuries in close relationship with native plants.  There are some animal species that adapted so closely to their native habitat  they rely on only one plant species for food.  Likewise, there are many native plants that rely on a specific type of native animal for seed dispersal.   

By removing native vegetation and replacing it with non-native ornamental plants (many of the plants you buy at nurseries), humans are disrupting the balance of nature.  In addition, many of these non-native plants have become "invasive," meaning they have escaped cultivation and proliferated in the wild, out-competing native species.  Examples of invasive species include kudzu, honeysuckle, purple loosestrife, and many others.  What can you do?

• Landscape with native plants

• Maintain patches of "wild vegetation" on your property (less mowing!)

• Manage for invasive species

Cover

All animals need cover to protect them from predators.  Avoid mowing and manicuring the entire lawn- instead create brush piles and areas of tall grasses.  It is also useful to provide nest boxes and bird houses to replace similar habitats that have grown scarce.   

Food

Planting native species automatically increases food sources for native animals.  You can also focus your landscaping on plants that produce nuts and berries to attract certain types of wildlife. 

For more information visit ODNR Fish and Wildlife