Backyard Birding: “Transforming Yards into Bird-Friendly Habitats”

Description

Backyard Birding: “Transforming Yards into Bird-Friendly Habitats” Presenters: Christie Lassen & Ron Sikes Saturday, September 7, 2024 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Rainshadow Hall at Dungeness River Nature Center A new Backyard Birding series begins on the first Saturday in September. Over the 10-part series, we will focus at times on gardening practices with the goal of attracting and supporting a greater diversity of bird species to our outdoor spaces. In this first session, we will introduce the new OPAS initiative, the North Olympic Wildlife Habitat Project. This project joins forces with other conservation organizations participating in the Garden for Wildlife™ program led by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). To begin, Christie Lassen (owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, Gardiner WA) will walk through the Garden for Wildlife checklist of requirements for NWF habitat certification. We will evaluate how much (or how little) we need to do to transform our yards (or terraces) into habitats. Following an overview of the checklist, Ron Sikes (“Plants for Birds” program, Admiralty Audubon Society, Port Townsend) will focus on one essential component of a bird-friendly habitat: native plants. Ron will explain the importance of native plants, provide a suggested list of plants available locally, and describe a wide variety of songbirds drawn to them. Together, one by one, we can create a Community Wildlife Habitat recognized by NWF. Please join us to learn what we each can do to support essential synergies among birds and plants for greater benefit to—and enjoyment of—BIRDS! Admission to the series is free. However, we suggest a donation of $5.00 per person to support our ongoing education and bird conservation programs.