Wildscapes is an innovative habitat restoration plan for rural and urban areas from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Nongame and Urban Program. This allows anyone to contribute to wildlife conservation by developing wildlife habitats where they live or work. The packet also includes guides on gardening for butterflies, hummingbirds, seed and insect-eating birds, and an extensive list of plants that are native to your area's vegetation, complete with plant description, habitat preference, and ornamental and wildlife value. The packet also contains an application for certifying your site as an official Texas Wildscape. Once the application is approved, the applicant will receive a backyard sign, personalized certificate, and registration with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Less lawn means less mowing.
And many native plants are hardy and drought-resistant, so they need little or no water or care. Using native plants attracts a variety of wildlife. Hummingbirds, for example, are attracted to red tubular flowers like red salvia, coral honeysuckle and cardinal flower. You can also attract brightly colored songbirds to feast in mulberry, beautyberry or black cherry trees you have planted. You may even want to attract insect-eating bats to your yard by putting up a bat house.