Conservation at home

Make your yard a safe sanctuary for birds.

Food, water, shelter, and a few thoughtful choices can turn an ordinary outdoor space into useful habitat.

A safer patch of the world

Healthy habitat is a daily practice.

Landscape with native plants that provide seasonal food, shelter from predators, and cover from Wisconsin weather.

Place a shallow birdbath in shade when possible, scrub it regularly, and replace the water every two days.

Clean feeders and feeding areas at least weekly, discard wet or moldy seed, and wash your hands after filling or cleaning.

Place feeders near trees or shrubs and leave evergreens or a loose brush pile to provide year-round refuge.

Use exterior markers, screens, or closely spaced window treatments and place feeders very close to windows or well away from them.

Keep companion cats indoors or use a leash or secure catio so both cats and native wildlife stay safer.

One more essential

Many pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides can harm birds directly—or remove the insects and prey their families depend on.

Use the least-toxic approach available and keep chemicals away from places where birds feed, drink, bathe, nest, or rest.