Earth Day is tomorrow, and to celebrate I’m making a list of ways to give a little back to wildlife in our gardens. This is part 2 in my series. Part 1 talked about brushpiles, wildlife ponds, host plants, and attracting pollinators.
Wildlife gardeners truly have the power to make a difference, for wildlife, for healthy ecosystems, and for the planet!
So here’s some simple activities to get you started. These are excellent ways to share your love of nature with your kids and grandchildren. They’ll learn to become stewards of their little piece of the planet, and they’ll have a lot of fun to boot.
Create a Monarch Waystation. Monarch Butterflies are returning north from Mexico in search of milkweed on which to lay their eggs. You can help them on this amazing journey by adding several varieties of Asclepias (Milkweeds), and you’ll get to observe the next generation throughout its life cycle.
Install a Rain Garden. Rain Gardens are a great way to filter stormwater, save streams from pollution, and create wildlife habitat. Plus, they are beautiful additions to your garden.
Add a Green Roof. If you’re like me, you quickly run out of space for new plants. You can gain more gardening space, conserve water, and protect the environment by adding a green roof to your wildlife garden. Plus, you’ll save energy by keeping your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Add a Water Feature. All wildlife needs access to clean water for drinking, and bathing, and sometimes even reproduction. Your wildlife garden can help a lot of wildlife just by adding water features, whether a pond, a bird bath, or puddling places for butterflies.
So grab your kids, unplug the computers or TV, and go play outside in your garden. You’ll be making a big difference for wildlife this Earth Day (and every day) when you add any of these ideas to your wildlife garden.
Happy Gardening!
