Backyard wildlife – and some humans, too – appreciate a good romp in a rock pile or a challenging climb through tree branches. Offering shelter for wildlife is a year-round endeavor, and often enough, shelters that work for both basking and shade structures in the heat of summer also function as respite from winter’s cold and whipping winds. From the ground up, think of these structures as housing a functioning ecosystem.
Predators and prey will benefit from a variety of textures, shapes and sizes of many different items. Be sure to include leaf litter, strips of tree bark, both large branches and small twigs, and robust round stones for hiding and wide, flat rocks for basking. Soon enough, charismatic wildlife neighbors will say, “thank you” by simply showing up, which is the ultimate honor.
For more stories like this, check out Green Islands magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.