With the official arrival of spring coming this week (for us in the Northern hemisphere at least), I am seeing articles regarding spring planting tips for your yard.   Whether you are a gardening enthusiast, or a photographer trying to maximize your opportunities for some spring subject matter, each of these will help you get a head start in spring planning for wildlife.   Of course it is always beneficial to check what is native to your area and the habitats most accommodating to your local pollinators and wildlife.    With pollinators under increasing stress, it is vital we keep in mind the habitat they are losing every day.   It is one way to give a little back to those that were here before us.

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Pitch in a Patch for Pollinators

Painted Lady Butterfly on clover

The Habitat Network is a citizen science project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.   They have published an incredibly useful guide to creating more habitat for pollinating bees, birds, bats,  butterflies and other species called Pitch in a Patch for Pollinators.   This guide provides instructional how-to’s on transforming just a patch of a regular suburban lawn into a place that attracts and supports pollinating species.    Around here in Southeast Michigan, I am aways amazed at properties that seem to have massive grass lawns.   They require significant work for upkeep, and are labeled what the Habitat Network calls biodiversity barrens.    In comparison, they are similar to urban landscapes as far as the loss of biodiversity.   So be sure to check out their tips linked above on how a portion of your property can benefit these important workers in our environment.

Mowing Less

For those that have some lawn to upkeep, the USDA Forest Service has recently put out an article on how mowing less frequently improves habitat for bees.   Bee abundance and diversity increased in yards that mowed every 2 weeks instead of every week.    That is also paired with not using herbicides.  Clover and dandelions are beneficial lawn cohabitants for pollinators. 

More In-Depth Property Planning

Eastern Meadowlark singing a tune

If you want to “donate” a much larger portion of your property than just a patch, The Native Plant Guild and Michigan Audubon teamed up to produce a detailed landscaping guide for bird-friendly habitats.   While it has a focus on Michigan and Michigan natives, the layouts and designs seem suitable for many other areas with an abundance of information.    They provide tips for creating these types of habitats on your own property  (love the naming!) :

• Easy Slope Shoreline Garden
• Nest & Rest, Breed & Feed
• Berry Good Shrub Garden
• Sunny Bird Garden
• Suburban Pond Oasis
• Lawn Extension Garden
• Low-Profile Garden
• Forest Edge Bird Bio-habitat
• Shady Foundation Garden
• Steep Sloping Lakeshore
• Sweeping Bioswale
• Summers-Knoll School Rain Garden

Show pride in your spring planning for wildlife

RiverSafe / LakeSafe sign in our front yard

Whether you want to wait until you add on some of the above, or think your property has a lot to offer already, there are a couple of programs that will allow you to post signage about your  wildlife friendly property:

1. The National Wildlife Foundation offers a “certify your yard” program showing your commitment to wildlife.   Just follow this link for details on the survey and getting a yard sign to display.
2. For locals in Southeast Michigan / North suburban Detroit area, the Clinton River Watershed Council offers their River Safe / Lake Safe program.   This asks you a series of questions about protecting our local waterways with principles that are much the same as all of the above recommendations for creating habitat for pollinators. Then you will receive a snazzy sign to show your commitment.
3. Research your own local area environmental groups for similar programs and certifications.   If there are none available, perhaps suggest a “planning for wildlife” project to your city government.