How to make your land more welcoming for wildlife

Lots of people are interested in attracting wildlife to their landscapes.
Food, shelter and water are the bare necessities for any life — and to draw in wildlife visitors, you need to provide all three of these elements.
Jessie Hoover, an LSU AgCenter horticulture agent based in the Feliciana parishes, has advice on how you can transform your backyard or another piece of property into a wildlife haven.
Food
“The first thing that I recommend is that you plant diverse plants in your landscape,” Hoover said. “So, you want to look for things with berries, seeds, acorns and nuts that will attract all different types of wildlife.”
Trees are wonderful producers of wildlife food, and fall is a great time to plant many species. One of Hoover’s favorite trees is red mulberry, which is native to Louisiana.
“It is great because it provides an early spring food source for songbirds, squirrels, lots of different critters,” she said. “Deer even browse on red mulberry.”
Mayhaw is another native species that feeds wildlife.
“That’s a great native tree that provides a berry that is a food source for a lot of songbirds,” Hoover said. “I’ve even seen box turtles eating mayhaws that fall to the ground.”
Hollies are great choices, too. They provide wildlife with food throughout the winter, and with a wide range of cultivars on the market, there’s a holly tree or shrub to suit practically any landscape.
Native shrubs such as American beautyberry and elderberry also are food sources for wildlife. And don’t forget to include nectar-rich flowers for hummingbirds and other pollinators.
When choosing plants for wildlife food, try to create a year-round buffet that will serve a variety of animals.
Shelter
For wildlife to feel comfortable on your property, they need places to hide, rest and nest.
“That can be a tree, or you can use manmade shelters,” Hoover said.
Do a little research on what kinds of shelter are preferred by the species you’re interested in attracting.
Many types of wildlife — along with the insects they feed on — appreciate dead plants. Some take advantage of past-their-prime plants and leaf litter for shelter. Birds and small mammals weave the material into their nests. As plants in your landscape turn brown this winter, consider leaving them — they’re still providing a valuable service.
Water
Out of the three essentials for life, water is arguably the most critical.
You can supply fresh water in birdbaths or other containers. Just keep in mind that stagnant water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and algae — so be sure to regularly clean and refill water dishes or use some sort of pump or agitator.
Moving sources of water like fountains are best. Animals’ ears perk up at the sound of flowing water, and the movement helps keep the water fresh.