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Take a Walk on the Wild Side In the P.O.N.D.'s Wildscaping podcast episode that aired in Spring 2018, we addressed the question "Would you like your home landscape to attract butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife to your yard?" In this issue, we further explore the topic of creating wildlife-friendly habitat gardens, or "wildscapes," to invite nature into your backyard. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) succinctly describes on their Website the impact of wildlife gardens, including measurable benefits to wildlife and benefits to people. A wildscape, maintained with sustainable practices, can attract and support several kinds of wildlife. |
Certification As an added benefit to the rewards enjoyed by creating a wildscape, some government agencies such as NWF offer the opportunity to certify your habitat garden if it satisfies several criteria. Even if certification is not a goal, implementing NWF's required wildscape elements of providing food, water, cover, and places to raise young will help make your wildscape habitable. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Wildscape Certification program, though currently not issuing new certifications, likewise provides useful information about creating wildscapes. Visit their Website to find publications such as Design Tips and Creating Shelter for Wildlife. |
Finding Expertise As stated on the NWF Website, "Native plants form the foundation of the food chain in the natural world, and should do the same in your wildlife-friendly garden or landscape." Where better to learn about using native plants than from the Dallas Chapter of The Native Plant Society of Texas?Chapter meetings feature local and regional experts on all things related to native plants and habitats. Dallas County Master Gardeners also offer speakers on several topics that may benefit the wildscaper, such as "Birds, Bees, and Butterflies Need Your Help" and "Inviting Nature Back Home With Native Plants." |
Finding InspirationLooking for visual inspiration for creating a beautiful, wildlife-friendly natural space? While many of the best examples exist at private residences, several publicly accessible gardens demonstrate the use of plants that are native or otherwise provide benefit to native wildlife. On the Dallas side of the Metroplex, one notable option for seeing native plants used in a landscape setting is Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park. The Native Texas Park on the grounds of the George W. Bush Presidential Library also incorporates native grasses, wildflowers,trees, and other native plants in the landscape.
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National Wildlife Federation Attracting Birds, Butterflies & Backyard Wildlife
by David Mizejewski
Complemented by more than two hundred full-color illustrations and photographs, this practical guide to environmentally friendly landscape design explains how to create a backyard garden that will attract a wide range of wildlife, including butterflies, birds, and amphibians, and provides detailed instructions for a variety of habitat-inducing projects, tips on using native plants, and more. Original.
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Texas wildscapes : gardening for wildlife : the Texas A&M nature guides edition
by Kelly Conrad Bender
Whether you have an apartment balcony or a multi-acre ranch, the Texas Wildscapes™ program provides the tools you need to make a home for all the animals that will thrive in the native habitat you create.
In Texas Wildscapes, Kelly Conrad Bender identifies the kinds of animals you can expect when you give them their three basic needs: food, water, and shelter. She then provides guidelines for designing and planting your yard or garden to best provide these requirements for the many birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates the environment will attract.
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Business & Technology Division,Dallas Public Library
1515 Young St., 5th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75201
214-670-1400www.dallaslibrary.org |
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