Although you may not be a wildlife rehabilitator, you can still help wildlife tremendously by incorporating as many of the following ideas as you can into your everyday life:
1. Be a good steward of the land. Discard all household chemicals safely. Call your town's recycling program to find out how to safely dispose of paint, garden chemicals, car oil, etc.
2. Plant for wildlife. You can add beauty to your landscape and food and shelter at the same time. Hollies, pyracantha and nandina provide shelter and berries. These berries are enjoyed by birds and mammals. The brilliant purple berries of beautyberry last long into the winter for your enjoyment and food for birds.
3. Provide water for drinking. Your method of providing water can be as simple as a birdbath or inverted garbage can lid to a more elaborate garden pond complete with a waterfall and bathing rocks. Just be sure to provide fresh water often.
4. Teach children to respect wildlife. Whether they are your children, grandchildren or children you work with - all kids benefit by learning to respect and enjoy nature. Remember that kids learn by watching adults, so be a good role model.
5. Cap your chimney if you do not want wildlife living with you. If you don't mind sharing your chimney with a family of chimney swifts in the summer months, but feeding time for the excited babies is causing too much noise, stuff the damper area (from inside the house) with a foot of thick foam rubber. This will muffle the sound of even the most exuberant babies. Because swifts eat thousands of mosquitoes, they are good summertime neighbors.
6. If at all possible, keep your kitties inside. They will be safer and healthier. Cats kill thousands of birds and other wildlife every year. If you notice your dog continually going to one spot in your yard, check it out for the dog may have found a rabbit's nest. If so, keep your pets and children away from that area until the babies leave the nest.
7. Enjoy the nature around you. Sit on your deck one warm, sunny afternoon. Take a deep breath to help you relax. As you exhale, make all of your life's problems float out of your mind and away on your breath. Repeat if necessary — but hyperventilation is not allowed! Now, you are ready to sit back and concentrate on the delightful sights and sounds of nature.