Food is one of the four essential elements for wildlife habitat, and berry-producing shrubs are one of the best food sources for birds, particularly in the winter when other food … Read more
Garden for Wildlife
What to do With Fallen Leaves
Updated September 2024 You shouldn’t feel obligated to get rid of every last fallen leaf in your yard this fall. Leave the leaves — they offer a lot of benefits … Read more
Researchers Recognize Conservation Agriculture’s Benefits
For the first time, a land grant university has recognized the benefits of a conservation practice to productivity and is changing recommended fertilizer rates accordingly. Read more
Nuts for Wildlife
When we think of autumn, the first image that comes to mind is colorful leaves falling from the trees. Leaves, however, aren’t the only thing falling in the fall. This is … Read more
The Goldenrod Allergy Myth
Goldenrod blooms are an autumn delight — both for human admirers and wildlife visitors. Their sunny yellow flowers add beauty and interest to the late summer and early fall landscape … Read more
Why Leaves Fall from Trees in Autumn
French author Albert Camus tells us, “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” And what opulent bouquets the leaves of autumn do create—whole mountainsides of dazzling … Read more
Surprising Similarities: What’s Going on in YOUR Backyard?
By Kim Kurki, author of World of Birds: A Beginner’s Guide Did you ever think of hummingbirds and woodpeckers as similar? Until recently, I didn’t. Where I live in Eastern … Read more
Get Ready For Monarch Migration
If you spot monarch butterflies in your yard this month, there’s a good chance the eggs these insects are laying now will develop into the generation of adults that have … Read more
8 Tips to Protect Baby Turtles in Your Yard
Last June, Ellen Lambeth and Greg Hudson, fellow staffers here at National Wildlife Federation who work on Ranger Rick magazine, had a pretty awesome wildlife sighting. While Ellen was heading to the … Read more
Eliminating Snakes in Your Yard
As National Wildlife Federation Naturalist, I frequently get questions from folks about “getting rid of” wildlife in their yard. Especially snakes. Unfortunately, most of the advice you can find online on … Read more
