Why Create A Backyard Habitat?

Jeffrey Zajac
for The Mirror

Last month, I wrote about the formation of the Highland Park Community Wildlife Habitat project (HPCWH) and the idea of Backyard and Community Habitats. The HPCWH operates as a local counterpart to the "Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program" of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Our borough is off to a running start in our effort to become the first municipality in New Jersey to become a certified Community Wildlife Habitat.

But why should individual property owners create a wildlife habitat? What's in it for you?

First, it's fun! Watching wildlife in action can be fun and relaxing for everyone. Your habitat may attract beautiful songbirds, butterflies, frogs, and other interesting wildlife for viewing from your own window. Bird watching at close range in your own backyard is one of life's great pleasures.

Second, habitat has curb appeal! Replacing grass lawns with native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees will increase the beauty of your property. As an older town with traditional sized lots, most of which don't contain huge carpets of artificially maintained lawn spaces, Highland Park is a natural fit with the habitat concept.

Third, a habitat is eco-friendly. Wildlife benefits from sound gardening techniques, like reducing the use of chemicals, conserving energy and water, and composting, all of which helps to improve air, water and soil quality. Also, the planting of native plants and trees has many benefits. Because they are indigenous to a specific region, native plants usually require little maintenance, and are welcomed by wildlife, serving an important role in the local ecosystem. Steve Barnes of the HPCWH notes that non-native invasives in the United States cost an estimated $137 billion a year in efforts to control them and in lost economic gain.

Fourth, habitat supports Community. Gardening for wildlife can help you share your love of wildlife with your neighbors and help them get involved in creating a home for wildlife. Inspired by the Highland Park Arts Commission's annual Open Studios event, the HPCWH aims to create a habitat day, where habitat certified properties in the Borough will be open to all.

The process of creating a wildlife habitat is not difficult. You don't need a green thumb or years of experience to create a habitat. The requirements for habitat certification are that your property include a food source (native plants, bird seed, berries, etc.), a water source (birdbath, water garden, stream), places for cover (thicket, rockpile, birdhouse), places to raise young (dense shrubs, nesting box, pond), and sustainable gardening techniques (such as a compost pile). Many yards in our town already meet these requirements. Properties missing one or two of these requirements can easily be modified to obtain certification.

Finally, schools can participate in the habitat program. The NWF's "Schoolyard Habitats Program" has helped more than 2800 schools and outdoor education providers in developing outdoor habitat areas. Schoolyard habitats are recognized for their contributions to habitat conservation; they also provide enriching, interactive educational activities that foster enthusiasm in students and educators alike. (See "Schoolyard" at www.nwf.org.)

Thus, creating a habitat has many rewards. Certifying your yard can be an exciting family project and educational opportunity. The application for certification can be found at the NWF website, www.nationalwildlife.org. Let's continue in our quest to make Highland Park a model green community!