August 20, 2010
Appreciating Backyard Wildlife
Turn your churchyard into a sanctuary for wildlife and your congregation
-
Water is the essence of life and will to attract wildlife to your sanctuary. Kathy Milani/The HSUS
-
An urban wildlife sanctuary benefits all kinds of wild neighbors. Kathy Milani/The HSUS
-
It’s a place for animals to nest. iStockphoto.com
-
It’s a safe haven to raise young. Kathy Milani/The HSUS
-
A diverse habitat will draw a wider variety of critters. Janet Snyder/The HSUS
-
Hummingbird feeders work great on many apartment balcony sanctuaries. Kathy Milani/The HSUS
-
Plant native flowers to as a food source for the smallest of your wild neighbors. Debra Firmani
-
A decaying tree hosts insects for woodpeckers to feed on, while native plantings offer safe cover for a rabbits to nest. Debra Firmani
-
You may be surprised to see who comes to your place to find sanctuary. Jennifer Holden
The familiar wild animals close to home—the squirrels who dig up our bulbs, the deer who graze in our gardens, or the raccoons who den in our chimneys—deserve our care and respect. Whether your church is in an urban or rural setting, you can take steps to create a hospitable environment for local wildlife, helping people and animals enjoy the bounty of creation. You can also help people live in harmony with the wild animals in their neighborhoods.
In the guide
Create a wildlife sanctuary
- The Urban Wildlife Sanctuary program
- The Wildlife Land Trust
- Wildlife gardening tips
- Tree planting tips for your sanctuary
- The thoughtful bird feeder
- Get to know your wild neighors
Organize nature walks or an outing to a wildlife rehab center
- Tips for observing wildlife
- More on the art of observing wildlife
- Bird watching with your ears
- How to watch birds in a parking lot, park or your own backyard
- A visit to a wildlife rehabilitation center can help you understand the issues facing wildlife in your area. Find a local wildlife rehabilitation center by searching for “wildlife rehabilitation” and our city or state. Before planning a visit, be sure to contact the center to find out about any restrictions or limitations on visits by the public. Take a virtual tour of one of our wildlife care centers.
Public space improvement
- Check with your local parks department to identify appropriate areas and learn about permit requirements and restrictions. Organize a group of volunteers to pick up trash, plant native plants, or donate a park bench.
Plan an event with a guest speaker
Videos
More ideas
Wildlife resource corner
- Read Wild Neighbors, The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife
- Learn more about each of your wild neighbors and search by animal
- Solve problems with your wild neighbors
- Learn about Humane Wildlife Services, offering humane solutions to human-wildlife conflicts
Wildlife tips for your newsletter or web site
