The Seattle Traveler

Over 35,000 acres of Washington wildlife habitat is destroyed by development each year.  As you drive around the greater Seattle-Tacoma area, you can’t help but notice areas that have been cleared of trees to make room for houses, business development, or industrial use.

There’s an ongoing debate about whether this growth represent progress or destruction.  Regardless of what side of the issue you come down on, there are things that individuals and families can do to minimize the negative impact of that growth upon our environment.

The Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program was designed to help offset the habitat loss of many of our native wildlife species, promoting the concept that every property owner is also a habitat manager.  We make choices about the things that we do, or don’t do, in the area surrounding our homes, and these choice impact the habitat for the wildlife around us.

To help residents understand and appreciate the wildlife around your home, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has created a program to help you learn and understand the simple things that you can do to make your property a better home for songbirds and other wildlife species.  Here are just a few suggestions:

• Plant more trees and shrubs. Remember, vegetation is the key to attracting a variety of wildlife. Dead trees (snags) are especially valuable to wildlife; try to keep them on your property if they pose no safety hazard.
• Add a birdbath, garden pond, or other source of water. A safe place to bathe and drink will act as a magnet to many animals.
• Add bird feeders. A feeder for millet, one for sunflower seeds, and one for suet will appeal to a wide variety of birds.

Easy! Get the whole family involved — the kids will love it!And getting some neighbors to join in the effort expands the effectiveness of the program exponentially.

If you’d like to get a little more serious about your efforts, you can request a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary packet by sending your address along with a $5 check to: 

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program
16018 Mill Creek Blvd.
Mill Creek, WA 98012

The packet contains backyard stewardship information, and steps that you can take to become a wildlife habitat manager for your property.  Once you take the necessary steps to make your yard wildlife friendly, you can register as an official Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary.  You’ll get a a weather-proof designation sign for your yard, along with a certificate.

Although I’ve not registered my yard as a sanctuary, I have taken the necessary steps to protect the natural habitat.  (My former yard was registered.)  I have bird feeders and a bird bath, have left some natural ground cover on the lower part of the property, leaving some tree snags, and have cleared and planted with care and purpose.

Although I live in a neighborhood development, in my yard I’ve seen a bald eagle, a variety of hawks, flickers, hummingbirds, a variety of sparrows, lots of other birds, quail, a pheasant, butterflies, raccoon, a red fox, and just the other day a coyote.

This is a GREAT program, and I encourage everyone to give it a try.  There’s something that everyone can do, regardless of where you live.  With a little individual effort, we can make sure that Washington State continues to be one of the best places in the world to live!

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