This is a journal about gardening for wildlife. There is discussion about the wildlife that visit S.C. backyards, what habitat is, how I’ve attracted more wildlife to my yard (and how you can too!) and how I care for the plants and also the wildlife that visit the yard. I will also share stories from other habitats that I visit as part of my job with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.
I recently discovered some Japanese Beetles on my beloved oakleaf hydrangea. My first thought was to go get those disgusting beetle bags, but then I remembered hearing that those actually attract more beetles than they get rid of. Plus, you have to deal with the disgusting bags of wiggling bugs. So, I “Googled” organic control of Japanese Beetles, and found this list. Anyone had any success with these methods? The bug juice sounds equally disgusting, not sure I’m up for that one….5 or 6 sounds more doable to me.
It’s not that it conveys messages about recycling and conservation in charming kid-friendly rhymes. It’s not that each page is loaded with eye-candy colors that should inspire a line of children’s clothes, dishes, or gardening tools.
The remarkable thing about this book is that it only seems to be a cute, fluffy kids’ book. In fact, it’s a toddler manifesto. After reading this book to the preschooler in your life, you’d better be ready to put up a birdhouse, plant a garden, and stop using plastic bags.
See especially the page that promises “And each one of us will get a star when we go somewhere without our car.” Be ready to buy several sheets of gold stars, because you’ll be walking a lot after reading this book.
Pitch a tent close to your own backyard for budget ‘getaway’ By David Quick (Contact) The Post and Courier Thursday, June 11, 2009It all started when Derek Iannelli-Smith was looking for a camping graphic to post on his Facebook page.Now, on June 27, 10 people will be pitching four tents in his family’s
Goose Creek backyard with plans to make marshmallow S’Mores, build pine-cone birdfeeders and tell ghost stories as part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout.
“We’ve taken a lot of ideas (for the overnight camping event) right off of their Web site,” says Iannelli-Smith. Though this is the federation’s fifth backyard camping initiative, the conservation organization is capitalizing on the fact that people are seeking vacation alternatives that are closer to home and less expensive because of the continued economic crisis.
The group is calling the backyard campout “this summer’s ultimate staycation.”
Federation Outreach Coordinator Ashleigh Poff says the “backyard” reference is meant to encourage people to camp either in their backyards or at a campsite that is close to their home — within a county or metro region.Locals experienced in outdoor living say both experiences can be surprisingly rewarding.
At a craft show this spring, I stopped (of course!) at a booth that was selling bird feeders and garden ornaments of all types. One item they were selling was simply a copper “S” hook to hang your hummingbird feeders from. The artisan informed me that she read somewhere that copper burns the feet of ants, so they can’t get to the hummingbird feeder if you use a copper hook. Has anyone else heard this?
I “googled” it, and couldn’t really find any information, except that there are many hummingbird feeders out there that claim to be “bee & ant resistent” because of the copper hooks, flowers, decorations, caps, etc. on the feeders. But, no discussion about this phenomenon. Please add a comment if you have any information on this subject. A link would be great!
For my own experience, I have a feeder with a copper hook, and one without. The one with the copper hook definitely has less insects on/in it when I clean it out. Could this be the reason??
Sauer-Danfoss, Inc. was certifed yesterday as a Wildlife And Industry Together site by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. They received this distinction by providing quality habitat for wildlife, educating employees about their impact on the natural world, and partnering with the community to improve the environment.
Here are some pictures of the site, and the event:
When I was at Hilton Head last week on vacation, I noticed this nest on the way on and off the island. Then, I returned to find an email with a link to a webcam directed at that nest! Palmetto Electric Coop has a live Osprey-Cam covering the active osprey nest on the Palmetto Electric communications tower above
Hilton Head Island. Watch “Ollie” and “Olivia” in real time!
A friend sent me this photo - it shows an ancient eastern hemlock tree beside the Whitewater River in Oconee County, SC. The tree is under attack by the woolly adelgid and is dead, or near death. This large individual tree is called “The Desoto Hemlock” by some folks. This name relates to its large size, suggesting it may have been growing here when Desoto passed though the area in the 1500’s. My friend has known and visited with this huge tree for decades. He once measured it as 50+ inches in diameter. It has obviously survived many traumas, but has succumbed to the tiny exotic insect. What a tragedy!
Make Your Backyard Come Alive
By RACHEL JOHNSON, Aiken StandardStaff writer
Make your backyard a haven for wildlife and enjoy the serenity of watching nature from the convenience of your own home.
Many backyards in Aiken County already qualify for the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification and others are just a few steps away, but most people don’t realize the steps to become certified.
When Cedar Creek residents Ron and Heidi Kulpa moved to Aiken last November, they decided to make their backyard a wildlife habitat.
“I read about it online and thought this area is just perfect for it,” said Heidi. “It is a really simple thing to do.”
In May the Kulpas’ yard joined more than 5,000 certified yard owners in South Carolina with the distinction of Certified Wildlife Habitat.
“Applying for Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification through the National Wildlife Federation consists of providing food, shelter, water and places to raise young for creatures and animals alike. Pictures and detailed descriptions of your backyard habitat are required prior to certification,” said Sarah Lloyd, South Carolina Wildlife Federation coordinator of policy and conservation. “South Carolina is No. 1 in the nation for the most certified backyard wildlife habitats, per capita with over 5,000. The Kulpas have one of the newer certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat sites.”
The Kulpas’ backyard features several bird feeders and houses, a water source and nesting locations in addition to a wild garden which is much loved by the butterflies and local deer. Many of the plants the Kulpas selected for their yard offer food sources for birds and other small animals.
On any given day, the Kulpas can observe blue birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, deer, squirrel, hawks, a black racer snake, wrens and more without leaving their backyard.
“It’s not difficult. You just follow the guidelines, and when you are planting, look for plants native to South Carolina,” said Kulpa. “I am sure a lot of people qualify but just don’t know about the program. We love to sit and watch the birds; we have always enjoyed nature.”
For more information on how to qualify your backyard for the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification program, visit www.scwf.org/index.php/education-programs/habitats/bwh.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.
IS IT POSSIBLE to share your life with rambunctious dogs and still garden for wildlife? Yes, says Kim Winter, NWF’s habitat programs manager, who owns three mixed-breed dogs ranging in size from 30 to 80 pounds. “It’s trickier to maintain habitat,” she says. “Dogs do destroy plants.” At her home in northern Virginia, Winter takes the “divide and conquer” approach to landscaping: Her pets roam and romp in the backyard while most of her wildlife garden goes in the front.
