Wildlife-friendly spaces are a must for our state’s estimated two million wildlife watchers. And while parks and other public lands can offer such spaces, Oklahomans can also tailor their backyard landscapes to create their own wildlife experiences.
Whether your wildlife-friendly yard, or wildscape, is just getting started or has been welcoming wildlife for years, these areas are often works in progress. In the weeks leading to fall’s cool down, take stock of your wildlife watching wants and plan any modifications or updates your wildscape may need.
Recognize what you have and what they need
Every species of wildlife needs food, water and shelter. If your wildscape provides these key elements, you will likely get a variety of wildlife visitors. But getting wildlife with specialized habitat needs to visit or stay in your wildscape may require a few customizations.
Your wildscape’s size, location in the state and its proximity to natural or undeveloped areas will also shape which species visit your yard. Learning the range, favored foods and preferred habitat of the species you hope to see can help you better customize your yard.
Identify areas in need of maintenance
Jot down a list of plants that need replaced, bird houses and feeders that need repaired, or areas of your wildscape that demand too much of your time and may need to be downsized. Most wildscape maintenance includes lightly pruning shrubs and small trees, thinning unwanted or overcrowded plants, and using mulched leaves to winterize your plants and provide a home for frogs and skinks.
Check city ordinances to find out if there are specific lawn maintenance expectations in your area.
Could your Wildscape use an Add-on?
Adding fruit producing trees, a new pollinator garden, or patio pond can certainly enhance your wildscape, but remodels or add-ons don’t have to be overwhelming to be effective. Simple changes like staging feeders at different heights, or adding a bird house or source of fresh water may be the ticket to attracting more birds. Increasing the number of flowering plants may attract more butterflies. Leaving downed wood on the edge of your property or adding a rock garden could increase the number of lizards or skinks.
Don’t be afraid to start small and stay small, especially if you have limited time or resources to invest in your wildscape.
Get more tips for creating and maintaining wildscapes for Oklahoma’s wildlife in the Wildlife Department’s Landscaping for Wildlife: A Guide to the Southern Great Plains. Regional plant lists and Oklahoma nurseries that may offer native plants can also be found at okiesformonarchs.org.