The Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program
Is Here!
A new conservation program is in the Athens area to help protect and preserve birds, wildlife, and plant species. Habitat loss is one of the greatest threats to wildlife and you can help.
Backyards can become wildlife sanctuaries by providing food, water, shelter, and places to raise young. You can enjoy nature in your backyard each day while learning more about wildlife, habitats, and native plants. Together our backyards, whether large or small, can become interconnected bird and wildlife havens. Let us help you make your property more wildlife-friendly!
Would you like to get your backyard certified as a wildlife sanctuary?
It's easy. Just fill out an application and mail it in. A member of the ORAS conservation team will contact you to begin the certification process. Once certified, you will receive an official ORAS backyard sign to acknowledge your commitment to wildlife.
What can the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program do for you?
As part of the certification process, a trained volunteer will visit your property to give you tips and tricks on gardening for wildlife. We will also host periodic backyard wildlife sanctuary tours so you can get nifty gardening ideas from other certified properties in the area.
Every Backyard is Important!
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary News
December 2, 2011
Congratulations to Steve Holzman for being our newest certified Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary!
Steve Holzman
August 26, 2011
Congratulations to Cal and Clare Hasbrouck, our newest certified Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary! Thank you for making the Athens community a better place by creating more natural habitats for wildlife!
Cal and Clare Hasbrouck
August 6, 2011
Congratulations to Lorene Winter, Deb Weiler and Loren Hunt, Judy and Richard Newton, and Chuck Murphy, who have all received Backyard Wildlife Certifications this summer! Since our program began on May 1st, we have certified 5 properties (with one additional property pending). A total of 34.27 acres in the Athens area is now certified as backyard wildlife habitat!
Lorene Winter
Deb Weiler and Loren Hunt (new ORAS members!)
Judy and Richard Newton (new ORAS members!)
Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Murphy
May 23, 2011
Congratulations to Leon Galis for being the first backyard to be certified as a backyard wildlife sanctuary! Leon has been improving his yard for wildlife for years by planting native species, providing fruiting trees and shrubs, and removing privet from his property. Six volunteer certifiers also attended to learn more about the certification process.
We will be certifying an additional property this weekend. If you are interested in learning more about the certification process and want to become a volunteer certifier, please contact Robin Woodroof, our conservation chair.
April 26, 2011
Welcome Ed Maioriello, Katie Mullen, and Steve Holzman as certifiers! We look forward to having you on the team and helping us certify local backyards as wildlife habitats.
The Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program brochures have arrived, thanks to Alison Huff. Some brochures have already been given to local businesses to distribute and we will be doing more very soon with everyone's help.
The Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program will have a booth at the upcoming Zoo Day this Saturday, April 30th at Memorial Park. If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Kate Mowbray or Robin Woodroof.
Our first backyard is scheduled to be certified this coming Sunday, May 1st, at 2PM at Leon Galis's property! Leon has welcomed the committee to practice the certification process on his property. Please come if you can. Contact Robin Woodroof for more information.
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Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Tips and Tricks
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve wildlife habitat in our own backyards, our conservation chair, Robin Woodroof, publishes monthly tips and tricks that are easy to implement on limited time and financial budgets. Please check back here often for new articles, and visit our newsletter page to see our most recent stories about what kind of wildlife you can expect to find in your backyard.
19 October 2011: Traveling Seeds
Have you ever looked at a tree and wondered how it started growing where it did? Plants have amazing ways of moving their seeds from one place to another to ensure their survival and to produce diverse ecosystems. Let's look at some of the ways plants arrive at their destinations.
• Hitch-hikers stick to fur, feathers, clothing, or inside animals
• Droppers fall to the ground and animals carry them away
• Poppers burst from seed pods and disperse from the plant
• Flyers are carried through the air by wind
• Floaters are carried away in water
• Gardeners purposely plant seeds
Hitch-hikers: Seeds, such as those in prickly cockleburs, can attach to clothing when you take a walk through a field. Seeds can also latch onto the fur of a dog, cat or wild animal as well as the feathers of birds. The seeds will usually fall off or are pulled off the animal in another location. Sometimes seeds stick to the bottom of shoes or in tire grooves and can also end up in a new spot. When birds, bears, raccoons and other animals eat fruit, the seeds move through their digestive systems and are spread in their droppings which help to fertilize the new plant.
Droppers: Squirrels are famous for carrying away acorns and other nuts that have fallen from trees and burying them for winter food. Sometimes they forget where they've stored the nuts or they don't need everything they've buried. If those nuts last through the winter, they might become large trees.
Poppers: Some plants have exploding seed pods that burst open and quickly fling seeds away from the parent plant. Dwarf mistletoe can shoot seeds about 20 feet at almost 60 miles per hour. The touch-me-not got its name because of this seed attribute. The plump green pod of Impatiens burst open when touched or become mature.
Flyers: Seeds soar through the air with the wind until they land in a new location. Pine trees produce flat blade-like seeds on high branches that fall off, spin and swirl like blades on a helicopter. Dandelions have seeds encased within lightweight fibers that can act like parachutes and can carry the seed for miles on a strong gust of wind. Poppies have tiny seeds that when open, can shake out and be blown away.
Floaters: Seeds are transported by the water of ditches, puddles, streams, ponds, lakes, rivers and oceans. Heavy rains wash seeds into ditches where they float until the water dries up. Elm seeds can travel for miles after falling into a stream. Coconuts can float in the sea until washed up on shore. Water lilies seeds float in cases of jelly until they sink to the bottom and grow. Fish can eat seeds and deposit them far from the original plant.
Gardeners: Seeds are purposely collected and planted by gardeners, farmers, and landscapers for many reasons including food, flowers, habitat, shade, and natural beauty.
Just think, the next time you see a squirrel burying an acorn, a pine seed blowing in the wind, a bird eating a berry, or you take a walk through a meadow, a new tree may have just been planted.
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23 May 2011: Twinkle, Twinkle Backyard Firefly
When I was little, I used to love watching fireflies on warm summer nights, catching them in my hands, and of course putting them in a jar and being mesmerized by them just a little while longer before releasing them to continue on their journey. As I grew up, I saw less and less fireflies each year until eventually I didn’t see anymore. They were all but gone from my hometown and still are except for occasional sightings outside the city limits. Later, I learned that it was probably large trucks spraying for mosquitoes throughout neighborhoods that wiped out the firefly populations. Although, the spraying stopped happening years ago, the fireflies haven’t returned. The pesticides in addition to habitat loss, light pollution, and development have all contributed to this loss.
When I moved to Athens and saw fireflies in my backyard, I was overjoyed. It had been so long since I had seen them and I could not stop smiling. I sat outside every night just to watch their magical flight once again. Now, I eagerly await their return each spring.
How to Provide the Right Habitat for Fireflies in Your Backyard:
- Provide Trees and Shrubs-at night they crawl up grass blades and fly into tree branches to signal for mates. Often the male will fly, while females wait in trees, shrubs and grasses to spot an attractive male.
- Plant Tall Grasses or Don’t Over-Mow the Lawn-they spend most of their day on the ground and in tall grass which keeps them cool, conceals them, and gives them a good location for signaling at night
- Leave Tree Limbs and Leaves on the Ground-they provide food for firefly larvae
- Provide Fresh Water-crucial to firefly populations because they thrive in humid, warm environments and even small amounts can meet their needs during mating season.
- Reduce Light Pollution-turn off outside lights at night because they can interfere with firefly flashing to attract mates, defend territory, attract prey, and warn off predators.
- Avoid using Chemical Pesticides and Fertilizers-they can kill fireflies and their prey
Fun Facts:
Fireflies or Lightning Bugs are actually winged beetles
2000 species are found on most continents and each has a unique luminous pattern
In the U.S., fireflies mostly live east of Kansas
Fireflies lay their eggs in the ground
Larvae feed on worms, snails, and slugs that live under logs and in leaf litter
Larvae hibernate over the winter
Adults probably feed on nectar, pollen, insects, or eat nothing due to a short life span
Adult life spans only last a few weeks to 2 months
Taste nasty to predators
Medically and scientifically useful
Most efficient lights in the world-100% of their energy is emitted as light instead of heat
References used: http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.edu/projects/FFiles/frfact.html ; http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly/ ; http://www.firefly.org/
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March 29, 2011: Backyard Butterfly Garden
Habitat conservation is needed to preserve Georgia’s rich butterfly heritage because butterflies depend on certain plants during all four stages of their life cycle: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult. Creating a butterfly garden in your backyard can provide such a habitat while being an exciting and rewarding project. These beautiful insects will add bright colors and many hours of enjoyment to your garden. Here are some simple steps to create a successful butterfly garden.
Plant your garden in the sun-Butterflies and most butterfly-attracting plants require bright sunshine.
Plant colorful nectar-producing flowers- Butterflies are first attracted to bright colored flowers, especially red, orange, yellow, pink and purple and then feed on the nectar of the flowers. Clusters of short, tubular flowers or flat-topped blooms provide the ideal shapes for butterflies to easily find, land, and feed. Examples of plants include lantana, verbena, milkweed, and yarrow.
Choose single over double flowers-The nectar of single flowers is more accessible and easier for butterflies to extract than the nectar of double flowers which have more petals per flower.
Plan for continuous bloom-Butterflies are active from early spring until late fall. Plant a selection of flowers that will provide nectar throughout the entire growing season.
Plant native host plants-To ensure butterflies will stay in your habitat, include native host plants in your garden. Many butterflies and native flowering plants depend on each other for survival and reproduction. Host plants provide butterflies with the nectar and foliage they need as caterpillars and adults. Examples of host plants include tulip poplar, hollyhock, and pawpaw.
Let them puddle-Butterflies often congregate around puddles of wet sand and mud to drink water and extract minerals. Create a butterfly puddle by placing a shallow pan with moist sand on the ground to collect rainwater.
Provide flat stones for rest- Flat stones provide space for butterflies to rest, spread their wings and bask in the sun. Basking raises their body temperature so they are able to fly and remain active.
Avoid pesticides-Most lawn pesticides, especially insecticides, are toxic to butterflies as well as many beneficial insects. Utilize predatory insects or use insecticidal soap instead.
Search for butterflies and wildflowers in your state: www.butterfliesandmoths.org/map and www.wildflower.org/collections
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February 10, 2011: Backyard Wildlife on a Budget
Want to enjoy wildlife in your backyard, but think you can't afford it? It's easy to feel that way when there are so many fancy outdoor items for sale with large price tags. Although those items can be enjoyable, they are not a necessity. You really don't have to spend a lot to enjoy wildlife and the more natural an area is, the more likely wildlife will feel at home. Here are a few ideas that will attract birds, amphibians, insects, reptiles, small mammals and probably a few welcomed surprises.
Cost Saving Ideas:
§ Ask friends if they have any plants, clippings, pots, garden tools, bird feeders or other supplies they would like to get rid of or donate to you
§ Make your own bird feeder, bird house, bat house, or butterfly house
§ Create an in-ground or above-ground water bath from a plant saucer, garbage can lid, snow disc or other saucer-shaped item and line with small rocks or pebbles (using non-toxic glue)
§ Plant trees, shrubs, vines, annuals and perennials that provide natural food so less supplemental bird seed will be needed
§ Black oil sunflower seed supplies high quality food to the majority of backyard bird species
§ Chisel out the top one to three inches of an old stump for a birdbath
§ Make your own suet by re-using the plastic containers from previously purchased suet
§ Create toad abodes from old or broken pots
§ Shop thrift stores, garage sales, and check clearance shelves at name brand stores
§ Create rock gardens from rocks found on your property
§ Use water from downspouts, rainwater, rain barrels, and air-conditioning drips to refill birdbaths
§ Landscape with tree limbs and leave dead trees to provide food and shelter
§ Create brush piles from pruned trees, shrubs and vines
§ Look for ideas in garden and bird magazines
§ Check out field guides and wildlife books from local libraries or borrow some from a friend
§ Search the web for information and images on wildlife, bird, plant and garden topics
§ Decorate an old chair or bench and enjoy watching the wildlife that visit!
Conservation Chair: Robin Woodroof
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught."
-Baba Dioum
