According to the National Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), watching birds and wildlife is the largest and fastest growing (in terms of participant numbers) outdoor recreation in the country. A corresponding growth in habitat development ?EUR??,,????'??+ landscaping and gardening for wildlife ?EUR??,,????'??+ is occurring because a huge majority of the growth is coming from backyard birdwatchers. In addition, there is a truism ?EUR??,,????'??+ to have birds and wildlife, you must first have habitat for them. With this increasing interest, there is also potential for adding habitat development to already established landscape businesses. Whether you are the habitat developer or habitat owner, there are a number of things to be considered before moving forward with the undertaking. Who is a Backyard Habitat Person? Typically a female, 40-60 years of age, single family home, college education (some with advanced degrees), middle class, decent salaries, according to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). ?EUR??,,????'??Anybody can do this,?EUR??,,????'?? notes David Mizejewski, director of the NWF Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program, ?EUR??,,????'??and it can be done anywhere.?EUR??,,????'?? The NWF has more than 34,000 certified residential habitats in its program, plus nearly 2,000 certified schoolyards and a few hundred industry/office certified habitats. The NWF also has a community wildlife habitat program in which they can certify an entire community. At the moment, there are four such certified communities ?EUR??,,????'??+ Alpine, CA; Zionsville, IN; Reston, VA, and Tukwila, WA. Another dozen are registered in Georgia, Florida, Colorado, Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, Idaho and New York. They are in a variety of locations ?EUR??,,????'??+ the yards of single-family dwellings predominate, of course, but certified habitats also are in the backyards of assisted living, Ronald McDonald houses, libraries, community parks, municipal buildings, bed and breakfasts. What?EUR??,,????'???s Involved? In planning a habitat area, the combination of habitat elements you provide should take into consideration the needs of the birds your client wants to attract. All wildlife requires four basic elements to survive ?EUR??,,????'??+ food, water, cover, places to raise young. FOOD: The ideal wildlife habitat supplies food through vegetation. Food can also be provided through feeders. Adding several types of feeder to the landscape will attract the biggest variety of birds to your area. WATER: Birds need water, booth for drinking and for bathing. Water can be supplied in a birdbath, a small pool, a recirculating waterfall, a shallow dish, or through a dripper or mister. A reliable source of water is important in a wildlife habitat area. COVER: Wildlife needs protective cover just as people need the shelter of a house. PLACES TO RAISE YOUNG: A more specific kind of cover is needed to make your wildlife habitat complete: areas for courtship and for protecting young animals, whether they?EUR??,,????'???re birds in a nest, tadpoles in a shallow pool or specific plants upon which butterfly caterpillars depend. And if you want to jack up the situation, pay extra attention to water. Readily available water ?EUR??,,????'??+ summer AND winter ?EUR??,,????'??+ is likely to double the number of birds and other wildlife attracted to a habitat. Where to Start With a Habitat No surprise here. Determine the goals and objectives, time frame and budget. Find out which species of birds and wildlife are desired to attract, and plan habitat development accordingly. A fair number of folks figure that any old plant will attract any old bird and are surprised to learn that every species has habitat preferences. Assess the existing vegetation. Remember that native plant species are paramount. Know invasive species and don?EUR??,,????'???t use them. This isn?EUR??,,????'???t a place for ornamentals, either. Tell Me More! Homeowners across the country have had many successes with their backyard habitats. Karen Pierson of Galesburg, IL, has met with a multitude of surprises in her backyard habitat. ?EUR??,,????'??My yard attracts hundreds of birds year-round. I have counted up to 36 squirrels at a time, bunnies, raccoons and opossums,?EUR??,,????'?? said Pierson. ?EUR??,,????'??I have fed thistle seed and sunflower seed in feeders for years. In winter I can see cardinals nearly every night in the crabapple tree.?EUR??,,????'?? Pierson?EUR??,,????'???s habitat is visited so frequently, that during the summer months, she goes through 150-200 pounds of sunflower seed each month and about 40 pounds of thistle seed, as well. ?EUR??,,????'??It is expensive at times, but fun to watch,?EUR??,,????'?? concluded Pierson. ?EUR??,,????'??One evening when the sun was low, the heavy clouds parted and the white penstemon was spotlighted in the white field of grass. I grabbed my camera to capture the moment. This yard changes each moment, each day, and month, a never-ending pleasure when sitting on the enclosed porch.?EUR??,,????'?? This from Beatrice Campbell, Risque, IL. ?EUR??,,????'??In our backyard we have a gazebo where we enjoy sitting and watching the nature around us. On the arch going up to our gazebo we have planted a trumpet vine, and a honeysuckle vine. The hummingbirds are really enjoying them. We have a nectar feeder hanging from the arch. We also plant many annuals and perennials for the birds and butterflies,?EUR??,,????'?? Mary & Douglas Thesing, Galesville, WI. ?EUR??,,????'??Winter - the garden finds our cardinal pair and their friends at the feeders on this winter day. A warm bird bath is provided on our deck and is enjoyed by many of the birds including a hawk that forages here. Birds and other small animals find refuge under the snow laden plants and can find food in the dried seeds.?EUR??,,????'?? A testimonial from the Naftzigers, Naperville, IL. Finding Out More Information The National Wildlife Federation?EUR??,,????'???s web-site (www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat) has habitat information. On-line certification also is available on their web-site. Or you can get a printed resource kit, including certification application papers, by contacting the National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190-5362.