Wildlife Stewardship
- Rufous Hummingbird - Jim Cruce
More than 200 species of birds pass through the Portland Metro Area each year. Habitat loss, invasive plant and animal species, toxic contaminants in our environment, and a variety of man-made hazards can make their journey in Portland a hazardous one. The Backyard Habitat Certification Program will help you identify and reduce wildlife hazards in your yard and develop advanced strategies help locally imperiled species.
Another great way to help our local wildlife populations is to
enhance habitat on your own property. Wildlife need more than dedicated
parks and green spaces to survive and flourish – they require
continuous corridors of suitable habitat and open space. Backyard
habitat enhancement is a great way to help connect isolated pockets of
habitat while also improving the value and aesthetics of your property.
Habitat
consists of three basic elements: food, water, and shelter. The
following pages detail what you can do to provide all three elements
for local birds and other wildlife.
Living with Urban Wildlife
Audubon Society of Portland's Living with Urban Wildlife Brochure Series
Audubon Society of Portland's For the Birds: Protecting Bird in your Backyard
Avian Nest Boxes for Native Species
As wildlife habitat dwindles in the urban area and elsewhere it becomes harder for birds that depend on woodpecker-drilled nest cavities to find natural nesting sites.
Although they are no substitute for retaining large expanses of native habitat, artificial nest boxes can provide birds with alternatives.
Since nest boxes are meant to replace natural cavities, they work best when they are made of natural wood and without any adornments, including perches.
Audubon Society of Portland's bird nest box dimensions (pdf)
National Audubon Society Hints for Attracting Birds with Nesting Boxes
Oregon State University Extension How to Build Nest Boxes for Wild Birds (pdf)
Bat Houses
Bat Conservation International is a great resource for bat information.
Bat Conservation International Criteria for Successful Bat Houses (pdf)
Attracting Bats to your Yard (pdf)
Oregon State University Extension How to Build Bat Houses and Roosts in your Yard (pdf)
Participate in Citizen Science
Portland Audubon offers many opportunities to participate in Citizen Science
Report the birds that you see to eBird or Project Feeder Watch: Keep track of the birds in your neighborhood and then add your observations to one of these online bird databases. When you add your observations to eBird or Project Feeder Watch you help bird scientists across the country. eBird gives you a special password that allows you to access a permanent record of the birds that you have seen. Project Feeder Watch provides a starter kit to help you identify your birds. Go to: www.ebird.org or www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/.
Wildlife Water Features
Oregon State University Extension How to Create a Garden Pond for Wildlife
Bee Houses
Xerces Society How to build nests for native bees (pdf)
Converting Outdoor Cats to Indoor Living
Audubon Society of Portland Cats and Wildlife
Native Plants for Wildlife
Oregon State University Extension Native Plant Gardening-includes information on plants that provide food for wildlife
Berry Botanic Garden Gardening for Wildlife flashcards -available for purchase
Xerces Society Pacific Northwest Plants for Native Bees (pdf)
