Yards are personal havens for recreation, rest,

and relaxation. By adopting a few basic principles, your yard can become a sanctuary for

wildlife as well. As you create habitat that supports

birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, you also ensure

that your yard remains healthy for you and your family. And by learning about the plants and animals

native to your area, you renew your connection with

the natural world.

WHY “BIRDSCAPE”?

Birdscaping—providing food, water, protective cover,

and nesting sites for birds—offers a lifetime of learning, excitement, and entertainment while helping local

bird populations. Over 650 bird species nest in

North America, and a birdscaped yard can connect

you with dozens of local resident birds and many

additional migratory species that will stop by as they

travel across the hemisphere. Many backyard birds

are summer visitors that spend their winters in

Central America and South America, while others are

winter visitors that spend their summers in northern

boreal forests. Birdscaping can help to ensure the

survival of the many individuals that winter, nest, or

migrate through your area each year.

While bird feeders and a source of water will

easily attract the more common bird species to your

yard, the best way to attract and help most birds is

to plant native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. These

plants provide the nesting, roosting, and foraging

opportunities that your local birds need, and can

help to replace natural habitats destroyed, degraded,

and fragmented by development. Consult with your

local NRCS office to identify native plants suited to

the local soil conditions. For more information on

how to attract and help the birds in your area, visit

www.audubonathome.org/forthebirds.

BATS

Bats are an often overlooked part of our local

environment. In the United States, 47 bat species

inconspicuously patrol the night skies. Many can

consume 30–50 percent of their body weight in

insects each night. Since some species can devour up

to 600 mosquitoes or other insects each hour, bats

are an important part of a natural insect control

system. Other bats eat fruit and nectar and play an

important role in pollinating native plants and

dispersing seeds. Contrary to popular opinion, bats

are not aggressive and they do not play a significant

role in transmitting rabies to humans. To invite these

sophisticated creatures to your yard, you can install a

bat house at a height of at least 10 feet on a

structure that faces the morning sun. For bat house

designs and more information, visit

www.audubonathome.org/bats.

BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies can be persuaded to visit a yard of any

size. Over 700 butterfly species inhabit the United

States, and local species will visit your yard if you

invite them by planting appropriate flowering plants

as food for the adults, and additional vegetation as

host plants for their eggs and the caterpillars. Some

butterfly species are declining in number due to

pesticide use, habitat loss, or unusual climate

conditions; providing the appropriate plants for

these species may help them to recover. For more

information about which species reside in or

migrate through your community, and to learn

which plants to provide for them, visit

www.audubonathome.org/butterflies.

THE OTHER “B”

Most of the bees that pollinate native plants do not

live together in hives. Many of these native solitary

bees are declining, but you may be able to help them

by building a bee box. Simply drill small holes into an

untreated block of wood, or tie a bundle of dried

stems together and place them outdoors. Solitary

bees will lay their eggs in the holes, which then

serve as a nursery. For more information on

how to help these beneficial insects, visit

www.audubonathome.org/solitarybees.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

Share your wildlife habitat with your human

neighbors as well. Show them your native plants and

your efforts to help birds and other wildlife. Tell

them about your stand against pesticides and your

commitment to making your property as welcoming

to wildlife as possible. Then invite them to take

actions of their own. Begin a neighborhood nature

club or wildlife association, and challenge people to

dedicate part of their yard to wildlife. Link your

habitat with that of adjoining neighbors to create a

larger area of viable, pesticide-free and cat-free

habitat. Note the changes you begin to see. Are

there more birds and what kind? How about

pollinators? What new animals tend to linger in your

yard or community? Keep a record of what you see,

and celebrate each exciting wildlife encounter with

your friends and neighbors. For more information

on working together to help birds and other 

wildlife in your community, visit

www.audubonathome.org/neighborhood.

HEALTHY YARD PLEDGE

Create and maintain a healthy environment for you,

your family, and local wildlife by pledging to:

U Reduce pesticide use

U Conserve water

U Protect water quality

U Remove invasive exotic plants

U Plant native species

U Support wildlife on your property

Visit www.audubonathome.org/pledge to

make the pledge online.

CREATING A HEALTHY YARD

The AUDUBON AT HOME website contains information

and downloadable resources to help you plan and

develop your property in a wildlife-friendly way. You’ll

find regional resources and information about the birds,

other wildlife, and native plants in your area. Visit

www.audubonathome.org.

NRCS’S BACKYARD CONSERVATION website also

shows ways to help the environment and to make your

yard more attractive and enjoyable. Visit

www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard.

AN INVITATION TO A HEALTHY YARD

This publication is printed cooperatively by Audubon and the Natural Resources

Conservation Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service © National Audubon Society, Inc., 2006
Invite Birds, Bats, and Butterflies to

YOUR YARD

NATIVE PLANTS, including trees,

shrubs, and groundcover, create

multiple layers of attractive habitat for

birds and beneficial insects. Plant

shrubs in a way that best mimics

natural habitat, and use them around

the foundation of your home and the

borders of your yard.

Tree cavities can be difficult for nesting

birds to find in many developed areas.

BIRDHOUSES offer a good

alternative. Chickadees, titmice, wrens,

and even screech-owls are some of the

birds that might take up residence in

appropriately sized nest boxes.

Carefully placed BIRD FEEDERS

provide opportunities to watch birds at

close range. Different feeders are

designed for different seeds, so choose

appropriate seeds and feeders for the

birds in your area.

A source of WATER, such as a wellmaintained birdbath or small pond,

will attract birds and beneficial insects

such as butterflies. Shallow edges allow

birds to bathe and drink without

getting too wet.

An estimated 1 billion birds die each

year from crashing into windows.

Decorate the outside surface of your

WINDOWS to make the glass visible

to birds, or install screens as a barrier

to keep them at a distance.

Hummingbirds may be attracted to

a HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER,

especially when the feeder is

placed among red or yellow tubeshaped wildflowers.

A BUTTERFLY GARDEN of native

wildflowers, including plants that provide

food for caterpillars, will attract a host of

winged jewels to your yard.

A BAT HOUSE mounted on your

house may provide an important roosting

site for these nocturnal insect hunters.

CATS kill millions of birds and other

native animals each year. Keep your cat

indoors to protect birds, as well as to

keep your cat safe and healthy.

BIRDS TO HELP IN YOUR YARD

When designing and maintaining the habitat in your yard, try to provide food, shelter,

and nesting sites for five or six bird species that need the most support in your region

of the country. Then keep a close watch to see how the birds respond to your efforts.

To determine which species near you need the most help, and to find ways to help

support them on your property, visit www.audubonathome.org/birdstohelp.

My target species Action points

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ILLUSTRATION BY RICK BROWN

For more information, visit www.audubonathome.org/yard • For individual copies of this poster, call 1-888-LANDCARE.

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