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Yards Certified in Shelter Bay: 18
As of August 2008
242
285
345
358
362
414
539
593
684
688
693
695
671
699
702
719
769
810 |
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| This
orphaned fawn has been around the neighborhood since early June and
seems to be holding it's own. Its coat doesn't look all than good
but is eating the flowers. Not a good year for roses. |
Click here to view the e-mail Fidalgo Be Wild newsletter.
August 2008 Fidalgo Be Wild e-newsletter
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This
garter snake spent over an hour nestled on top of the barberry.
Apparently not too worried about crows or hawks. The one on
the ground is much safer. |
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Certify Your Yard Now
Help KEEP Fidalgo Island a Wildlife Community
The
goal of the Fidalgo Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program is to have 500
yards on Fidalgo Island certified by August of this year has been reached. Shelter Bay has been
encouraged to increase its participation beyond this goal. We, as
a community, have a perfect location for wildlife habitat. The
greenbelts give us the shelter and places to raise young. All we
need to do is provide food and water. Certification is easy.
The best way to do that is click on the following link that will
provide you with an application form that will cover both the National
Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW). Cost is $15 for the NWF and $5 for WDFW that
includes a small sign. No mailing forms; it can all be done on-line.
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On Sunday, February 24,
2007 a group from the
Fidalgo Backyard Wildlife Habitat Project group headed up by Rich
Bergner gave a presentation sponsored by the Shelter Bay Social and
Recreation Committee. The presentation included tables holding examples
of the four basic requirements for wildlife habitat; food, water,
shelter and places to raise young. They have been active in the
Anacortes area encouraging homeowners, businesses, schools and churches
to provide the basics in their spaces.
They have invited Shelter Bay to join their quest to certify all of
Fidalgo Island as a Wildlife Habitat Community.
All
of our lots and greenbelts are just about perfect for providing
habitat. You are encouraged to follow the simple steps necessary to
certify your yard. The following is taken from their brochure. The
website links give a lot more information and the forms needed to sign
up. |
Creating Backyard Wildlife Habitat is Easy
The basic four requirements are:
- Food:
flowers and seeds of trees, shrubs and plants, and bird feeders with a
variety of foods.
- Water:
a shallow water dish, birdbath, pond, wetland or moving water.
- Shelter:
a brush pile, rock piles, shrubs, trees and evergreen plants.
- Places to raise young:
snags, trees, shrubs, a wetland and bird, butterfly and bat boxes.
Your yard may already have some or all of these features. Consider how
others could be added. Then certify your yard. |
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Why Certify My Yard?
- By certifying your yard you become a part of a community of people who are striving for
national recognition as a Wildlife Habitat Community. Our goal of
Fidalgo community certification can serve as an inspiration to other
communities.
- Sustainable landscaping reduces our
dependence on water during dry seasons and mitigates flooding during
wet seasons. It also reduces dependence on fertilizers and pesticides
which send toxic runoff to our streams and the sea.
- Inspire and educate others by certifying your yard. Place a Backyard Wildlife Habitat sign in
front of people who pass by to see so that they will follow your good
example and also come to identify themselves as a community of people
living in harmony with nature.
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Human life depends on nature.
- Nature enhances our health.
- Plants provide pollution control and air
conditioning.
- Trees mitigate floods and wind.
- Nature is a place for children and adults to
explore, exercise and play.
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How Do I Get My Yard Certified?
Find information and applications from:
National
Wildlife Federation |
Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife Sanctuary Progarm |
or
Anacortes Public Library
Anacortes Parks Department
Questions? We would be glad to help!
Rich Bergner, 360-299-2579
Phyllis Dolph, 360-293-5951
Dick Olds, 360-466-0109 in Shelter Bay
Fidalgo Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Box 881, Anacortes, WA 98221
FidalgoWildlifeHabitat@gmail.com |
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| One example of a certified yard with adjacent greenbelt. It includes: food;
sunflower seed, suet, thistle, water: a flower pot
bottom, shelter: lots of shrubs and trees, places
to raise young:
lots of trees and brush (bird and squirrel houses to be added).
Critters too! The buck is being watched by a Douglas squirrel just to
the right of the buck's nose. |
| Wildlife takes on many
forms including this armored slug aka snail. Good thing it has a shell.
See the photo right. |
So it isn't a wife's
tale; garter snakes do eat slugs. From the looks of it this one has
plenty to eat. |
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