Page 21 - Gateways 2018 Spring
P. 21
Remember sell large bags of birdseed, which can be
used to keep feeders full all winter long.
to keep
feeders The beginning of spring is also an
full all ideal time to look at your backyard and
winter long. think about what kind of habitat you
want to provide for your backyard critters
A Backyard throughout the year. For example, you
Buffet can decide to plant trees and bushes
that produce seeds or berries, which
While Chicagoland critters are pretty savvy provide squirrels and chipmunks with
at surviving winter weather on their own, some easy and accessible food options
it’s plain neighborly to help them out when when they prepare for next winter.
you can. There is plenty you can do to
support the furry and feathered creatures And during cold weather, many
who share your backyard. You don’t even animals rely on “microclimates”—that is,
have to be a professional animal care climates within a very small or restricted
specialist like the ones at Brookfield Zoo. area that differ from the climate of the
larger surrounding area. Making certain
Many people initially put out landscaping choices can help create
feeders for local birds or squirrels when these microclimates for local animals.
temperatures first begin to drop. That Plants that are native to the Midwest
certainly helps these animals prepare for are typically more cold-resistant than
the cold months ahead. But it’s important nonnative plants, meaning they can
to keep their feeders full all winter long thrive in winter, and those that keep their
and not to stop filling them as winter ends. foliage, such as the arborvitae tree, can
provide shelter and warmth for animals.
Birds and squirrels are very in tune
with their environment, so they quickly In addition to paying attention to
learn where feeders are located and begin what you plant, it’s also important to
to count on them for nourishment. They think about how you plant it. Rather than
expend energy—every bit of which spreading plants across your backyard,
counts during the winter months—to get planting trees and bushes densely together
to these feeders. If the feeders suddenly in one corner or section of your yard
are empty, they have wasted this energy naturally keeps warmer air in around
and have to use even more to find a new these plants, creating a microclimate.
source of food. Most hardware stores
Kids can get involved, too! Visit
the Child’s Play page of this issue to
find an activity that even the youngest
children can do to help their backyard
buddies during the winter months.
Together, we can make sure that animals
flourish all throughout the year. █
BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2018 21
