One of the main objectives of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden is to demonstrate “wildlife gardening” and encourage people to adopt this practice on their own properties and other open spaces. But what exactly do we mean by that term?
The Canadian Nature Federation (CNF) has developed criteria for “wildlife friendly backyards,” and we think that their checklist forms a good introduction to the basic principles. To qualify as wildlife friendly, your yard must meet at least one requirement in each of these categories.
Chemical free
Soil
Water
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Food
Shelter
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How does the Backyard Garden at the FWG measure up?
Well, it’s chemical free, we have several composters, and use decayed leaves and compost on the beds to hold moisture and reduce weed growth. Although we don’t rotate plantings, we have great variety and several species are nitrogen-fixers (clover in the lawn; other pea relatives in the garden).
We provide water in both a pond and bird bath, and the garden is filled with food sources — summer and winter. The only shelter we’re lacking is tall trees, although these grow nearby in the ravine. So I guess if we’re keeping score, the garden would rate 16 out of a possible 22.
The CNF list is a guide; no one can have all of these elements in their backyard. But we hope you have a healthy number and are enjoying the wildlife in your own yard.