How to Establish a Backyard Ecosystem

While perfectly manicured lawns appeal to many homeowners, open expanses of grass are not very environmentally friendly and require a lot of maintenance. Your home sits on land once rich with diverse animal and plant life. Follow these steps to establish a backyard ecosystem that will restore some natural balance to your property.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Plant a variety of native flowers and plants. Native species are often drought resistant and promote symbiotic processes that foster natural pest control. Diversity in the size and blooming cycles of flowering plants will further curb pest problems.
2. Provide wildlife with a source of clean water such as a bird bath or pond. A healthy pond will establish an aquatic ecosystem in your backyard, complete with fish, plants, frogs and dragon flies. An established aquatic ecosystem is largely self-sufficient and requires only routine maintenance.
3. Grow a garden. A garden ecosystem features plants that feed humans and regional animals and that nourish the soil. Use homemade compost to naturally fertilize your garden.
4. Create shelter for animals to hide from prey and raise their young. Lay out nesting boxes for birds, for example, and plant shrubs to provide cover for small mammals.
5. Discontinue use of conventional pesticides. Use natural toxins with care or allow your ecosystem to do the pest control for you. If you can tolerate some insects, the safest option for members of your backyard habitat and your family is to let nature take its course.
6. Register your backyard ecosystem with the National Wildlife Federation. You will receive a certificate for your efforts, a sign to proudly display in your front yard and a story in your local paper. Use the publicity to educate neighbors and extend the ecosystem beyond your fence line.

Tips & Warnings

• It is not necessary to have a large yard to create an ecosystem. Remember that your small parcel of land is part of a larger habitat and that every square foot of land counts. Your goal is to provide native species with essential resources destroyed in the construction of your home.
• The National Audobon Society maintains a list of regional plants to guide you in establishing your ecosystem. Local nurseries and landscaping firms are also a good resource for learning about native plant life.
• A well designed pond should have enough water flow to discourage excessive mosquito breeding. In addition, frogs and fish who inhabit the pond naturally control the mosquito population.

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