Come learn with us! Oconee Rivers Audubon provides educational opportunities through a variety of programs.  Join us for one or all of them!

Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program

Update 10 February 2011: We have ordered the signs and fliers for the backyard wildlife sanctuary program! We should be ready to get this program rolling by spring. If you are interested in getting your backyard certified as wildlife habitat, please contact our conservation chair, Robin Woodroof.

 

Backyard Butterfly Garden: 3/29/11

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

 

Backyard Wildlife on a Budget: 2/10/11

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!

Education Chair: Kate Mowbray (706) 613-3615 X 231
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