Humane backyards

People across the country (and around the world) are opting to replace conventional turf grass with plants that support wildlife. They’re setting out bird baths and feeders, and saying “no” to pesticides. They’re welcoming rabbits, birds, squirrels, bees, butterflies and so many more species onto their land. They know that a backyard habitat doesn’t just benefit the animals; it’s also healthier for the environment, supporting a robust ecosystem free of toxins and saving water by not maintaining a perfectly manicured lawn. And it benefits people too, by connecting us with our wild neighbours and reminding us that the decisions we make every day can have powerful consequences on the world around us.

Cultivating a humane backyard can be as simple as reducing your turf grass lawn, instead letting a variety of native plants flourish—and enjoying all the fauna who use them for food, nesting materials and shelter. Simple adjustments to yard maintenance can help create a welcoming environment. Let fallen leaves remain beneath shrubs, trees and perennials to create winter refuge for amphibians and insects and then return nutrients to the soil. Resist the urge to prune plants to the ground: Hollow stalks and stems harbour chrysalises and bee larvae, ensuring you’ll have plenty of insect visitors in the spring.