Autumn is the season of decreasing temperatures, shorter days and fall leaving.
Before you rake up those leaves or clear up debris, consider using your backyard to help wildlife this winter. Wildlife needs adequate food and shelter in the winter.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has shared that homeowners can help provide that food and shelter by:
• Tolerating “messiness.” Fallen leaves, logs, and dormant stems provide food sources while serving as insulation and cover.
• Planting native. Native flowers, trees, grasses, and shrubs provide habitat resources that turf grass and non-native plants cannot provide.
• Getting creative. Treat habitats in a variety of ways. Pollinator plantings, brush piles, and snags can all provide different types of habitat.
Those who want to learn how to build a winter wildlife habitat from a district biologist can visit on.IN.gov/wildlifebiologist.
