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Plans
and Shelters |
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| Every day cities and suburbs transform more of
Wisconsin's wild lands into urban environments. As Wisconsin's urban
centers grow, our homes, markets and workplaces displace the native
residents of these areas - wildlife. With a bit of planning we can provide
living space for many animals that would otherwise have to move on, such
as rabbits, meadow voles, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, opossums and
songbirds.
In the past, landscape designs have taken on a look of sterile uniformity - square hedgerows and clipped grass. Today many landscapes are planned to enhance natural contours and features of the yard. In fact, cities throughout the nation are lifting restrictions on maximum height at which homeowners can cut their grass. Some homeowners have even reseeded their lawns with native plants and wildflowers, saving gasoline and mowing time, and increasing the lawn's capacity to hold water in the soil. Native lawns also cut down fertilizing needs and help keep city lakes and wetlands clean. |
SOMETHING YOU CAN DO FOR WILDLIFE
In this day of global environmental concerns, an individual person or family can feel pretty powerless to help out. Organizing your lawn for birds, insects and small mammals is one way you can provide habitat for Wisconsin's native wildlife residents. Inviting nature back into our cities will also make our urban environments nicer places to grow up and live in.
*Text: Inga Brynildson/Design and Illustration: Georgine Price/Typesetting: Karen Dorman Wisconsin Office of Endangered and Nongame Species - Department of Natural Resources,
P.O. Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707
(608) 266-217
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maywood@ci.sheboygan.wi.us are property of
Ellwood H. May
Environmental Park |
