A strong backyard action plan will make it easier for you to circumnavigate the pitfalls, and frustrating foul-ups that might tempt you to abandon your project. The following checklist gives a handy overview of elements you should consider as you develop your backyard habitat action plan.
- Take inventory. Determine what habitat elements are already available in your yard. A map will help you with this task. Put in features such as fences, sheds, trees, travel lanes, and so on.
- Establish your goal. What species do you want to attract?
- Set your priorities. Where do you want to start?
- Draw up a timetable. Do you want to achieve your goal in one season or with a series of projects over several seasons? Do you want to spruce up one corner of your yard with a single project or transform your entire property for wildlife?
- Strike a budget. How much money are you willing to spend on your backyard habitat? Note that it is not necessary to spend money. Learn more about this by reading our “Backyard Habitat Case Study”.
- Identify what you need. What structures and plants must you provide to achieve your goal? Are there areas of your backyard that need to be enhanced? Refer to our links on planting and building for ideas.
- Draw a site plan of your backyard habitat. In other words, make a blueprint of what you want to do. If you want to modify pre-existing elements of your yard, incorporate details from the map you’ve made of your property. Use cut-outs of plantings, bird feeders, frog ponds, brush and rock piles, and any other features you want to add to your backyard. This way you can shuffle them around to ensure the arrangement is just the way you want it. Add the names of the trees, flowers, and shrubs you wish to plant.
- Keep the peace. To maintain good relations with your neighbours, let them know why you’re transforming your property for wildlife.
- Research and consult. Talk to local forestry, wildlife, horticultural, and soil conservation experts. Join a local horticultural group. Comb the library for books, articles, and ideas.
- Know your resources. Find out where you can obtain the seeds, seedlings, and other materials you need. Nurseries, garden centres, garage sales, horticultural clubs, lumberyards, and areas slated for development are all good possibilities. Exchange seedlings and plants with friends and neighbours.
- Make a final plan. Draw it to scale on graph paper.
- Be patient. Nature will not be rushed. Bit by bit you’ll delight in the slow and steady transformation of your backyard.
- Expect to get your hands dirty. Working with wildlife is a messy but rewarding affair!
- Maintain and modify. Clean nesting boxes and feeders, scrub and fill birdbaths, prune bushes, replace dead plants, deal with pests effectively and responsibly, and do other maintenance chores on a regular basis. Some projects may not turn out as you expected. Remember that you can always rearrange your plan if necessary.
