By Vicki Parsons
Many years ago, when creating a landscape for wildlife wasn’t considered all that important, I was given the first book I’d ever seen on why and how our suburban yards could be transformed into habitats for the critters I love. More than 20 years later, the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have updated Planting a Refuge for Wildlife and it’s back in print.
Over the years, I’ve collected dozens of books on native landscaping, but this inexpensive handbook ($5, including shipping) is still a favorite. With Florida’s population growing by more than a million people every year, it’s more important than ever.
On a national scale, Doug Tallamy is leading the charge for Homegrown National Parks. “Preventing habitat loss on a global scale is complicated, but converting a garden space into a wildlife sanctuary is not,” he writes. And the Planting a Refuge for Wildlife handbook makes it even easier.
It’s organized to provide both a fast read and an easy way to identify the plants that attract the birds, pollinators, or reptiles you most want to see. It begins with the why: “If we can preserve native wildlife and plants in our cities and suburbs, we can maintain the essential bond between people and nature, a bond that fosters a sense of stewardship for the land and its life far beyond city limits.”
For many people, attracting wildlife means keeping their bird feeders full. But all animals need more than that, including water and cover for breeding, nesting, sleeping and feeding. Since most animals have different needs, the book is broken down into easy-to-read sections. If you’re starting with an existing landscape on a typical urban or suburban lot, they offer plenty of tips to succeed:
- Plant trees first. They’re the backbone of any landscape designed to attract wildlife. Native oak trees support 534 caterpillar species, which are integral to the survival of many birds. A variety of native trees will simulate a forest canopy and provide nesting sites, protective cover and food for a variety of birds and small animals.
- Create an understory by planting smaller flowering trees in clusters near taller trees. Stagger a variety of plants to create a greater selection of nest sites and food opportunities.
- Mulch your trees and shrubs with leaves or pine straw. (You can also get giant loads of mulch delivered for free from www.chipdrop.com.) Mulched areas provide a habitat for foraging creatures and help build soil to grow healthy plants without fertilizer or pesticides.
- If you have a dead tree, leave it, unless it could fall on your home and cause damage. Cavity-nesting birds are essential to maintaining a balanced ecosystem, but the scarcity of nesting sites severely limits the population of birds like woodpeckers, screech owls, chickadees and bluebirds.
The book has separate sections on managing habitats for mammals, reptiles and amphibians, pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and birds and hummingbirds that provide overviews of each animal’s needs, with many “did you know?” highlights. For instance, I didn’t know that about half of a hummingbird’s diet consists of small insects like fruit flies, gnats, mosquitoes and aphids. Serious hummer fans will also want to hang feeders – but red dye isn’t necessary and artificial coloring may be harmful.
The section on birds is the longest part of the handbook because it identifies about five dozen bird species in an easy-to-read chart. It also provides information on the birds’ preferred food, nesting sites, range, use of feeders and nesting boxes and special management comments. For example:
- Northern cardinals eat more than 100 kinds of fruit but mostly seeds – preferably sunflowers — and nsome insects. Instead of nesting in tall trees, they prefer thickets of vines and brushy plants so it’s faster to create that habitat for them.
- Carolina chickadees are cavity-nesting birds that usually dig their own cavities. Attract them to feeders with sunflower seeds and suet.
- Eastern bluebirds are also cavity-nesters but will use boxes. They’re territorial so boxes should be placed at least 100 yards apart. Their diet is primarily insects, with some fruits and berries.
- Grey catbirds nest in dense thorny shrubs or small trees, and eat insects, grubs and fruit. You can attract them to feeders with suet.
Then, the last section of the book focuses on plants, including information on their USDA hardiness zones and preferred soil conditions with a separate column on their value to wildlife. Although you may end up referring to a more in-depth reference book for additional information, this is an outstanding place to start planning what you’re going to plant. (The book also lists a wide variety of books and websites for more information. Two of my favorites are Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife and Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants, both published through the University Press of Florida.)
Re-reading this book has made me want to grab my shovel and put new plants in the ground. Chickasaw plum, Simpson stopper and marlberry are on the top of the list because they’re easy to grow in many soil and sun conditions, and support both butterflies and birds with flowers and fruit.
Originally published Feb. 12, 2025