Wildlife Gardening - National Zoo|FONZ -

Whether you have big backyard, a community or school garden, or just a porch or patio with container plants, making small adjustments to your outdoor space will let you support wildlife.

Wildlife gardening starts with providing thing that wildife need, which are similar to what you need. What are they?

Food, water, and shelter! Seems so simple, but vital for conservation.

Careful plant selection is important. Use plants that are multi-functional:

serve as screens and shelters
provide shade
provide food
provide nesting sites for birds
are aesthetically pleasing and provide fragrance for our enjoyment
We encourage planting species native to your area, and choosing low-maintenance plants that require little or no fertilizer and other artificial inputs to thrive.

Plants = Food
Plants provide us with food just as plants provide food for animals that live around and with us.

Water
An amazing variety of birds and other animals can be
attracted to a backyard by providing water. Whether it's a pond, traditional birdbath, or even a depression in a rock or the ground, if water is provided, animals will find it to drink or splash in.

Be adventuresome and create a pond! A pond can attract an array of animals, from dragonflies to frogs and birds, to your backyard. It's great fun to listen to frogs croaking at night and watch them try to catch flying insects.

The National Zoological Park is a part of the Smithsonian Institution, the worldís largest museum and research complex. The Smithsonian includes 18 museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoo.

The words "National Zoo" represent a large, complex, and diverse organization with a multifaceted mission: demonstrate leadership in animal care, science, education, and sustainability.