Super Eco

Photo credit: mimbrava, flickr

Okay, get out your baguas...we're gonna have some feng shui today! In the back. The back yard, that is. Want to attract wildlife to your outdoor space and provide more habitat for animals? Winter is a great time to get started; animals find fewer opportunities naturally and seem to really appreciate a little help with food and shelter.

It's really all about paying attention to the four elements. When you have them covered, you'll be finding all sorts of new life in your garden year-round.

Earth. Provide food for animals by planting fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. Leave seeds, fruits, and nectar out regularly and see who shows up for breakfast!

Air. Make sure that birds have safe nesting places to raise young that are safe from dogs, cats, and wild predators. Avoid herbicides on lawns and plants. Create meandering spaces with less lawn to give hidden areas for animals to feel safe in.

Fire. Create spaces for animals to stay warm in, like dense shrubbery, trees, and fallen logs, and leave plenty of nesting material available.

Water. All animals need water. Make sure there is still or moving fresh water available in a variety of places.

Before you get started, be sure to do some research on area wildlife and what they eat. Leave out quality offerings and don't feed a wild animal anything you wouldn't eat yourself. Know the birds in your area, for example, and the foods they like best. It's also good to familiarize yourself with things that can be harmful to area wildlife.

Now that you have created a haven for animals, be sure you leave yourself plenty of cosy places from which to observe and connect with your backyard wildlife. A bench placed here and there or a comfortable patio chair with a good view of your new bird feeders will give you a great space to interact with the life in your yard.