National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat Program Why

National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat Program

Why create habitat for wildlife? These habitats: • require little or no pesticides, fertilizers, or excess watering • keep water and air resources clean • are healthier for people and wildlife • beautify our urban areas and give residents pride in their neighborhoods.

What is habitat certification? Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats provide FOUR basic elements wildlife need to thrive: 1. 2. 3. 4. food water cover places to raise young

Element 1 - FOOD Wildlife rely on native plants for food. These plants are adapted to each region and don’t require much long-term care: Rocky Mountain juniper Black chokecherry Blue flax Blue grama grass Serviceberry Twin-leaf arnica …and many more

Element 2 - WATER Bird baths, ponds, streams, and rivers provide dependable, fresh water sources for wildlife and aquatic and amphibious species.

Element 3 - COVER Wildlife need places to hide from predators and find shelter from weather: Existing live and dead vegetation Downed logs Brush and rock piles Dense shrub cover ** Good cover indicates diverse plant communities and healthy, heterogenous habitats.

Element 4 – PLACES TO RAISE YOUNG Wildlife need long-term shelter for raising their young: Live trees and shrubs for birds Snags for owls, flying squirrels and other cavity-nesters Birdhouses and bat houses Boughs and piles of plants for rabbits, mice and snakes Ponds and wetlands for frogs, toads, and insects Butterflies require “host” plants for reproduction

Your task: You are wildlife habitat experts tasked with evaluating the U of M campus as a possible candidate for Wildlife Habitat Certification. As part of the evaluation you must: • Use GPS and digital photography to document the suitability of areas on campus for wildlife habitat (4 vital elements). • Look for “good” areas, and those that need improvement. How can they be improved? • Note your observations at each location – you’ll use them later! • Create a Google Earth tour to present your findings to the campus community