| Show r r i Animals face housing i pr problem blem Many animals like many people have a housing problem plus a food lood and water problem What they need is habitat And habitat is what they shall have if the National Wildlife Federation t has its way The loge luge nonprofit organization is dedicating its National Wildlife Week to the theme We Care About Wildlife Habitat IN ANNOUNCING the annual event scheduled M March 22 16 1975 Thomas L L. L Kimball executive vice president of the Federation defined habitat as the place where animals live including everything they need for lor survival He pointed out that every animal has specific habitat needs The ring-necked ring pheasant needs grasslands and seed foods which grasslands provide For the brook trout cold clean water is indispensable The robin needs lawns and meadows containing worms worms and insects Every living Every living thing on earth needs good habitat Kimball said Protection of habitat is the key to healthy abundant wildlife populations Many wildlife habitats are now trampled by the march of unplanned gr growth and development BESIDES REGISTERING l his s protest against unplanned growth in his locality there are many things the average citizen can do to improve habitat He can organize his friends to build a refuge mini-refuge for wildlife in a section of the school grounds or oron oron oron on a vacant lot in his town or suburb A homeowner can build the same sort of refuge mini-refuge in his own backyard if he has the space and the plants One way to attract birds is to put up a birdhouse in the backyard The house can be designed to lure a favorite occupant PLANTING sunflowers can also help wildlife If seeds are planted in the spring as the earth warms flowers will appear in about six weeks When the seeds dry birds and other animals will eat them Some can be saved to put in the bird feeder the next winter When additional landscaping is undertaken choosing a tree or shrub that produces berries is isa isa is isa a way to provide bird food Dogwood serviceberry cherry sumac and autumn olive are examples TIlE THE PROBLEMS of habitat are broader than the backyard or the front yard As Kimball puts it To have a good life for wildlife and people we have to preserve wetlands woodlands and wilderness areas We have to take care of our rivers and oceans We have to work to save our open spaces and fields and prairies But theres there's no better place to begin than in your own backyard |
