Benefit Wildlife by Leaving Undisturbed Areas in Your Yard

It's tempting to rake your winter leaves into a trash bag, but wildlife, like these little worms [Insert video] will appreciate it if you rake them into a pile and leave them undisturbed.

Worms are known to improve the soil and that's good news for gardeners..

There are many reasons to wait until spring to clean up your backyard by removing fall leaves and dead plant material, not the least of which is that wildlife depends on it during winter. If you're passionate about wildlife gardening, it's even better to designate certain garden areas as no-maintenance zones to serve as a source of cover and food for wintering wildlife.

You might also avoid pruning the lower branches of shrubs and evergreen trees to provide a safer refuge for animals from the harsh winter weather, including freezing temperatures and strong winds.

We have a corner of our backyard that remains undisturbed during winter. Then, in the spring, I rake up all the leaves and dead branches and add them to the pile, and it's all done so that small mammals, insects, and birds can use the area when it's cold outside. It looks a bit unkempt, but I prefer to use the term "natural" when I refer to that area!.

Some people may find it hard to leave an area undisturbed, and although I love plants and flowers, I love wildlife even more. The existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans. While this may look like something that needs to be raked up, it looks "natural" to me, and the wildlife that will utilize it this winter will agree.

Responsibility to Wildlife

Our responsibility to wildlife is rooted in our obligation to protect the planet's biodiversity, maintain ecological balance, uphold ethical principles, recognize the cultural significance, and support economic benefits. Taking action to protect wildlife is essential not only for the environment but also for our own well-being and that of future generations.

It is usually more convenient for us to take actions that benefit ourselves rather than wildlife, and choosing actions that benefit both humans and wildlife may require more effort and thought, but in the end, it's all worth it. For example, using pesticides and herbicides in a garden may make gardening easier, but it can harm wildlife. But people have different priorities, and wildlife may not always be at the top of your list. In addition, we've all got work and family obligations, meaning our responsibility to wildlife is often overlooked.

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Behavior and habits are hard to change, and inertia can be hard to overcome, even if you want to help wildlife. I encourage you to take small, achievable steps such as planting native plants in your yard and do what I do in one section of your backyard.

Butterflies need flowers and other plants to feed on and to lay their eggs on. By allowing some areas of your yard to remain undisturbed, you can provide a habitat for these important pollinators.

Balancing the Ecosystem

Several types of wildlife may depend on you to leave part of your yard undisturbed, including the following:

Many species of birds rely on trees, shrubs, and other vegetation for nesting and foraging. By leaving some natural areas in your yard, you can provide a habitat for birds.
Pollinators such as butterflies and bees need plants to feed on and to lay their eggs on. By allowing some areas of your yard to remain undisturbed, you can provide a habitat for these important insects.
Many amphibians and reptiles, such as frogs need access to shelter to survive. Leaving a natural area with rocks and twigs in your yard can provide them with the shelter needed. Leaving some natural areas, you can provide a habitat for these creatures, which allows you to indirectly support the predators that feed on them, such as owls and hawks, birds of prey that play an essential role in controlling populations of rodents and other pests.

Wildlife Maintains Ecological Balance

Each species has a unique role in the ecosystem; losing even one can have far-reaching consequences. In addition, all wildlife helps maintain ecological balance by pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, controlling pests, and contributing to nutrient cycling. Without wildlife, ecosystems can become imbalanced, negatively impacting the environment and human populations.

Many people believe, as I do, that we have a moral obligation to protect wildlife because they are sentient beings that can experience pain, fear, and suffering. Treating them with respect and kindness is the right thing to do and reflects our values as a society.

Remember its not about growing food, it's about ensuring the cycle of life.

Thank you for tuning in. I bless you.

Until next time.