Backyard Habitat

Create a welcoming space for wildlife in your yard

Transforming your backyard into a haven for wildlife benefits local species while enhancing the beauty of your outdoor space. By incorporating native plants, water features, and shelter, you can provide essential resources for birds, insects, and other wildlife. Safe, connected spaces are crucial for wildlife to move, find food, and thrive. Even small changes in how you manage your land can help create vital corridors and improve habitat quality.

How to Create a Backyard Habitat:

  • Plant native species – Native plants, like wildflowers and shrubs, provide food and shelter for wildlife and require less maintenance.
  • Add a birdbath or small pond – Water is essential for wildlife. A birdbath or pond offers a place for animals to drink, bathe, and cool off.
  • Create shelter spots – Leave fallen leaves, brush piles, or small log piles where insects and small mammals can hide.
  • Use organic gardening practices – Avoid pesticides and chemicals, which can harm wildlife. Instead, use natural pest control methods.
  • Provide food – Plant nectar-rich flowers for bees and butterflies, and offer bird feeders to attract a variety of birds.

📢 Need help turning your yard into a wildlife haven? 

Check out the resources below or contact your local conservation district about plant recommendations, habitat design, and wildlife-friendly gardening tips.

Find Your Conservation District

Explore Conservation Resources

Amphibians & Reptiles of Washington
The Burke Museum

The Burke Museum provides an overview of our diverse amphibians and reptiles in Washington state, including 25 species of amphibians and 28 reptile species, such as salamanders, frogs, snakes, and turtles. This resource offers tips for identification, as well as insights into their habits, distribution, and conservation needs.

Bee City USA
The Xerces Society

Bee City USA is a program that supports communities in creating sustainable habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Through education, certification, and community engagement, it promotes initiatives to conserve pollinator populations and foster environmental stewardship.

Burke Herbarium Image Collection
The Burke Museum

The Burke Herbarium Image Collection provides an extensive online database of plant, fungi, and lichen specimens, including high-resolution images and detailed records. It supports botanical research, identification, and education, particularly for species in the Pacific Northwest.

PLANTS Database
United State Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

The USDA PLANTS Database (Plant List of Accepted Nomenclature, Taxonomy, and Symbols) is a resource offering detailed information on plant species across the United States, including their taxonomy, distribution, and conservation status. It supports research, education, and land management with tools like plant guides and an extensive image library.

Plant and Seed Vendors for the Pacific and Inland Northwest
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

This resource provides a directory of plant and seed vendors in the Pacific and Inland Northwest, including parts of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. It lists suppliers for various plant materials, aiding in the selection of appropriate sources for conservation and restoration projects.

Plants for Birds Program
The National Audubon Society

Audubon’s Plants for Birds program helps individuals select native plants to support bird populations and create healthy habitats. Using an interactive database, users can find region-specific plants that benefit local bird species while promoting biodiversity.

Pollinator Partnership
Pollinator Partnership

Pollinator Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting pollinators essential to ecosystems and agriculture through conservation, education, and research. Its website offers additional resources, publications, and tools like planting guides to support pollinator-friendly practices.

The National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting birds and their habitats through science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation efforts. Its programs focus on preserving ecosystems, promoting climate resilience, and inspiring environmental stewardship.

The Native Plant Finder
National Wildlife Federation

The Native Plant Finder by the National Wildlife Federation helps users discover regionally appropriate native plants to support local wildlife, especially pollinators like butterflies and bees. It provides tailored recommendations based on zip codes and includes educational resources to promote biodiversity.

The Native Pollinator Habitat Restoration Guide: Best Management Practices for the Puget Sound Lowlands
Green Seattle Partnership

This Native Pollinator Habitat Restoration Guide offers strategies for enhancing pollinator habitats in urban environments, emphasizing the importance of plant diversity and ecosystem structure. It provides practical advice for restoration practitioners, land managers, and homeowners to create resilient pollinator habitats through habitat restoration and management.