Trumbull Land Trust's Greenspaces Application Form
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National Wildlife Federation Habitat Program
Connecticut DEP Wildlife Information

The first question that is always asked is - Why Wildlife Habitats? There are a number of reasons. Stated simply, habitats save time, provide beauty, and enhance health. After an initial outlay of work and time, naturalized areas will require little weeding, no mowing, no fertilizing, and little water. Naturalized areas, with native plantings, will be self-sustaining systems.

The principles of backyard habitats are rather simple. Four necessary elements of wildlife gardening are:

• Food -
  Whatever type of wildlife you seek to attract, your choice of planting and site design will increase your chances of attraction. Food sources can be provided by many different means. Suet and feeders definitely take center stage in a wildlife habitat. However, to vary the diet of birds, fruit bearing trees and shrubs must be planted. In addition, many birds feast on the seeds of many of our wildflowers and grasses. A careful, diverse selection of bushes, trees, and flowers will attract a diversity of creatures. Native plants are preferred, and many types are carried by local nurseries.

• Shelter -
  This same diverse mix of plantings will also satisfy the shelter and nesting needs. Evergreen bushes, ground covers, or dense untrimmed hedges provide the needed safety from the neighborhood cat.

• Nesting -
  Trees also provide sites for nests or crevices for cavity dwelling animals. We can supplement these sites with birdhouses, nesting boxes, shrub piles, and rock piles.

• Water -
  Probably the most important element of a wildlife habitat is WATER. Water is not only necessary for drinking, but certain water sources are also used as nesting areas, by amphibians for example. Water can be provided in raised baths, ground level sources, and (the ultimate) small ponds. Small ponds and related plantings will attract frogs, birds, mammals, dragonflies, and other creatures. Placement of all these elements is very important. Feeders and baths should be placed in close proximity to shrubs and bushes. This gives the creatures a quick refuge from predators.

The concept of "edges" will enrich your landscape.  An edge is created where varied plants of different heights meet. The effect of edges is most clearly seen in a walk through any densely wooded area. You will find the most activity in the outer edges of the woods, where berry-bearing bushes reach out to capture the rays of the sun.

Together with these principles, the last aspect to consider is organic or natural gardening. The indiscriminate use of pesticides, herbicides, and inorganic fertilizers does untold damage to both the environment as well the gardener. By using native plants, compost, and attracting beneficial insects, a wildlife gardener will eliminate the need for chemicals. Even the lawn of a wildlife gardener will not need chemical applications; instead one can use clover, readjust mower cutting heights, and understand the ecological balance of a lawn.

Last updated: August 25, 2003

Photo credit - Dennis Varza