At home with nature

Elizabeth Bailey

August 04, 2008 09:41 am

— Watching the birds, butterflies, rabbits and other wildlife living on her property has become a way of life for Decatur County’s Sharon Wolshire, leading her property to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
With nine acres and two man-made ponds, the advocate of wildlife set out to take advantage of the nature around her and work to enable her property to be a home for native plants and animals. By allowing grass to grow long on wide expanses and taking advantage of forests and ponds, she has not only reduced the time and expense of mowing but also enhanced the interactions she is able to have with the animals in the environment.
She sees butterflies and hummingbirds as well as young skunks, foxes and fawns. As the native plants have grown and gone to seed throughout her property, volunteer plants have had the opportunity to sprout and make new shelter. With a developing habitat, Wolshire has seen new birds, large rabbits as well as herons and kingfishers spending time on her property. She enjoys the rhythm of the animals’ visits, as each has its own favorite areas at different times of the day.
People, she noted, have asked questions as they have watched the steep slopes of her property transform from “white-knuckle mowing” experiences to wildflower gardens. For her, the process of becoming a certified habitat has not been about taking control of her environment but rather letting go and helping it to come closer to its native state. By planting native seeds in areas to which they are suited, she sees less erosion, spends less time watering and has the added benefit of encouraging wildlife to call her property their home.
She noted there is a need to allow a buffer zone between one’s home and wildflower plots and other elements of nature, as no one is looking to invite raccoons onto their porch. Still, the natural fields and forests are fulfilling and well worth the questions she is asked to answer.
There has been a learning curve along the path to a sustainable landscape with food, water, shelter and places for wildlife to raise young. Wolshire learned that the copper sulfate often used to treat ponds can settle into the depths and never break down. Dye, she has come to know, is a safer alternative for the wildlife that sill meets the goal of reducing algea growth. It is also good to cultivate plants along the bank with a proper slope beneath them to prevent erosion and encourage a healthy ecosystem.
Wolshire has found that over time the prices for native seeds have been going down while their availability has been rising, making it a good time to choose to help properties return to a more natural state. She has found information on the internet and through books to help along her path and said the Department of Natural Resources has a number of resources for those interested in learning more about fostering a life that gives wildlife a home.
To learn more about the certification process or to order a book of tips to attracting wildlife, visit www.nwf.org.

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