Turn Your Yard Into a Wildlife.....

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How to Turn Your Yard Into a Wildlife Habitat

By Karen Bridgers, eHow Member

The National Wildlife Federation administers the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, which is designed to encourage home owners to create landscapes friendly to both wildlife and the environment. The four elements necessary for a Backyard Wildlife Habitat are food sources, water, cover and places to raise young.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shovels
• Shrubs
• Trees
• Food
• Shovels
• Shrubs

1. Step 1

   Buy a Backyard Wildlife Habitat information kit at a Wild Birds Unlimited store, or order from the National Wildlife Federation's Web site.

2. Step 2

   Survey your property to see which of the four habitat elements listed above are already present.

3. Step 3

   Follow the National Wildlife Federation's suggestions for enhancing your habitat, if needed.

4. Step 4

   Apply for certification when you feel your yard qualifies as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by filling out a two-page questionnaire and including a rough landscape diagram of your yard and a $15 program enrollment fee.

5. Step 5

   Expect that a certificate designating your property as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat will be sent to you within eight weeks if your application is accepted.

Tips & Warnings

• The National Wildlife Federation also helps schools, businesses and community groups create wildlife-friendly habitats.
• Backyard Wildlife Habitats attract insects, mammals, reptiles, fish, snakes and amphibians as well as birds.
• Discuss your wildlife habitat plans with neighbors, who may not be in favor of a yard that attracts so many creatures to the neighborhood.
• Adding trees, shrubs and other improvements to your landscaping can be expensive.

Thank you to the source of : http://www.ehow.com/how_83_turn-yard-wildlife.html

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