| West Virginia Master Naturalist Class Description
| Title: |
HABITAT IMPROVEMENT
FOR WILDLIFE |
| Objectives: |
Learn what changes the landowner can make to encourage wildlife
to use his/her property, be it a back yard or large acreage. |
| Class type: |
Core curriculum |
| Time: |
4 hours |
| Optimal season: |
Any season |
| Materials: |
Handouts: Plans for birdhouses and feeders, etc., lists of native plants useful to wildlife. |
| Expected outcomes: |
The student will gain a basic understanding of
- the three basic requirements of wildlife (food, water, cover)
and some ways to provide them.
- why some animals
are desirable in the garden and around the home, while others
may be a problem.
- how to garden
for wildlife, including which plants are best for food and cover
in various habitats.
- building bird
houses, bat houses, bird feeders, etc. (with printed instructions)
|
West Virginia Master Naturalist Class Outline
| Title: |
HABITAT IMPROVEMENT
FOR WILDLIFE |
| Time: |
4 hours |
- Why encourage wildlife?
- Esthetic values; fun and educational to watch
- Diversity is beneficial to our gardens
- Many animals need our help
- Potential problems
- Herbivores in the garden
- Rabies, raccoon roundworms
- Dealing with orphaned animals
- Basic requirements of wildlife
- Food
- Managing for natural production of food (plantings, etc.)
- Feeding (when appropriate; how what, and where)
- Water
- Cover for protection and nesting
- Plantings for wildlife
- General tips for success with native plants
- Appropriate habitat
- Season for planting/transplanting
- Some species easy, others difficult to grow
- Plan for all seasons
- Some trees, shrubs, and vines
- Herbaceous plants
- Butterfly gardening
- Managing woodlots for more than timber
- Importance of old, dead, and decaying trees
- Brush piles, stumps, and logs
- Openings and edges; value of diversity in species and age
- Water
- Ponds, large and small
- Farm ponds and wildlife
- Developing a spring or seep as a small pond
- Adding water to your back yard
- Protecting streams
- Other wetlands
- Woodworking for wildlife: nest boxes, feeders, etc.
- population growth
- population cycles: growth and decline
- adaptation and evolution
- r and K selection/survivorship curves
- life histories
- Useful references and other information sources
|
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