 |
| The HSUS |
Planting a meadow will welcome
wild creatures to your yard. |
In honor of Earth Day 2008, The HSUS is kicking off a backyard wildlife awareness campaign to encourage people to make a few simple commitments for Earth's wildlife.
"We launched our wildlife challenge last year and got tremendous feedback from people wanting to take immediate—and very easy—steps for wildlife that cost little time and no money," said Laura Simon, field director of urban wildlife for The HSUS.
"By acknowledging and caring for our backyard animal neighbors, we can make a significant difference for our planet."
Are you up for the challenge? Here are a few every day steps you can take to take care of the blue planet.
Clean it up
Think about streams and ponds. Every stream is connected to something else—another stream, a pond, a lake.
Trash finds its way from one to the other, and an array of wildlife along the way can be injured or sickened by it.
Visit your local stream or pond and pick up trash that you find. The results will be felt far downstream.
Let it grow
No matter how small a patch you dedicate, letting your lawn grow into a meadow not only cuts down on pollution and the use of fossil fuels but it also greatly increases habitat for birds and butterflies and other interesting critters.
This could be one of the most important commitments you will ever make to planet Earth.
Leave them wild
Make a commitment never to buy a "novelty" wild animal as a pet—it is very difficult to satisfy their needs in captivity, and that often means an unhappy outcome for all concerned.
As cute as a baby turtle may be, he or she is better off in the wild. Take your kids for a walk to the local pond where they can see these and other wildlife where they should be—in the wild.
 |
| The HSUS |
| Humanely evict unwelcome houseguests. |
Go native
Use plants that are native to your area.
Not only do they thrive better, but they also resist disease, injury or attack from plant-eating insects and mammals.
They also require less maintenance, freeing you up to do nothing but enjoy them.
Keep cats indoors
Even the most gentle, well-fed house cat will instinctively prey on wildlife when given the chance.
Outdoor-roaming cats are at risk for accidents and diseases that can drastically limit their own lifespan as well. Do wildlife and your cat a favor by keeping cats indoors.
Save trees
Spring cleaning is in the air, but this is the worst time to cut down hollow trees. Squirrels, raccoons, woodpeckers, flying squirrels and others animals are nesting in them.
"Dead" trees are anything but; they are thriving habitats for insects and animals who can benefit people and other wildlife. Keep them standing if possible.
Scrap the trap
If you capture and relocate a "nuisance" wild animal this time of year, she is likely to be a mom, which means helpless young will be left behind to starve. Instead, use eviction strategies to solve wildlife conflicts.
 |
| The HSUS |
Allow your cats to enjoy nature from a
safe (for cats and wildlife) distance. |
Cut them up
Disarm (cut) plastic 6-pack holders before disposal so that wild animals cannot get tangled up, injured or die in them.
Rinse it out
Thoroughly rinse and safely discard food jars. Hungry raccoons and skunks can get their heads stuck in peanut butter, jelly, yogurt or other containers.
If you clean the containers before disposing of them, you will literally be saving lives.
Check for nests
Walk your yard and look carefully for rabbit nests before mowing in the spring—the nests can be hard to see, the mother rabbit digs a shallow hole in the grass and puts her babies in it, where they will stay for three weeks until they are weaned and self-sufficient.
The HSUS Wild Neighbors Program promotes non-lethal means for resolving conflicts between people and wildlife and cultivates understanding and appreciation for wild animals commonly found in cities and towns.
