Climate Resilience
Nature-based Solutions for Creating Wildlife Habitat
Municipal Officials & Professionals
Backyard & Neighborhoods
Land Managers or Stewards
Youth, Parents & Teachers
Many of us enjoy watching the wildlife that comes and goes in our yard, whether birds and butterflies, squirrels, or the more unusual fox or bobcat. Our changing climate and human development are altering natural habitat for local wildlife causing a loss in both numbers and varieties of species living in our region. Creating wildlife habitat is an engaging way to help to reduce this loss of biodiversity. Projects can be as large as community-created gardens and meadows to as small as potted flowers on your porch.
Nature-based Solution Idea 1:
Create a Pollinator Garden
- Set out native flower pots on a porch or stoop
- Plant native flowers & shrubs
- Plant a vegetable garden
Nature-based Solution Idea 2:
Plant Bird-friendly Trees & Shrubs
- Plant fruiting trees and shrubs for wildlife food
- Plant shrubs that provide cover for birds
- Plant native trees for shelter
- Leave dead trees standing for cavity dwellers, provided they are not a safety threat
Nature-based Solution Idea 3:
Convert Lawn to Meadow
- Identify excess, unused areas of lawn (turf)
- “Remove” grass by digging up sod or by smothering with mulch, cardboard, or black plastic
- Plant and seed area with native meadow plants and wildflowers
Nature-based Solution Idea 4:
Provide Wildlife Shelter
- Bird houses
- Bat boxes
- Plantings for shelter
- Bee habitat
Nature-based Solution Idea 5:
Manage Invasive Plants
- Remove invasive plant species
- Plant native plant varieties
Resources
Garden and Lawn Toolkit commissioned by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust
For Your Garden: Bring Home the Beauty of New England by the Native Plant Trust