Eco-Gardening: Nature & Wildlife Conservation
Transform your backyard into a thriving ecosystem that supports wildlife while creating a beautiful, sustainable garden
Right in your own backyard
Backyard Habitat
Create a wildlife sanctuary that provides food, water, shelter, and nesting spaces for local birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Start Growing Today
Ready to grow your own food? Check out our comprehensive guide to The Easiest Vegetables to Grow
Gardening in an Environmentally Friendly Way
How we manage our gardens affects the health of soil, air, water, and habitat for native wildlife—as well as the human community. Discover sustainable gardening techniques that help conserve resources and protect wildlife.
Replace Invasive with Native Plants
Native plants provide a beautiful, hardy, drought-resistant, low-maintenance landscape while benefiting the environment.
Once established, native plants save time and money by eliminating or significantly reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water, and lawn maintenance equipment.
Attract native birds with flowers specifically adapted to local wildlife
Stronger and more resilient to diseases and pests
Easier to care for - adapted to your climate and soil
- • Don't require fertilizers, need fewer pesticides
- • Drought resistant (need less water)
- • Safe alternatives for pest control
Reduce air pollution by sequestering carbon from the air
Provide shelter and food for wildlife
See: Attracting Wildlife
More cost-effective in the long run
- • Save money on water and fertilizers
- • Can produce organic food
Mulching
Mulch helps keep water in the soil and available to plants, rather than evaporating into the air. This reduces watering time, and as mulch breaks down, it provides nutrients to the soil, reducing the need for fertilizer.
Xeriscaping
An approach to landscaping that minimizes outdoor water use while maintaining soil integrity through the use of native, drought-tolerant plants.
Reducing Lawn Areas
Lawns often require chemicals and gas-powered mowers that are very polluting. Since lawns contain only a few plant types, they provide little value for wildlife who benefit from diverse ecosystems.
Can't live without your lawn? Try chemical-free lawn alternatives
Rain Barrels
Collect rainwater for use during dry months. Besides helping the environment, rain barrels save money. Depending on your house size and local rainfall, you can collect substantial amounts with a simple system.
Related Conservation Resources
Start Your Eco-Garden Today
Every small change makes a difference for our planet and local wildlife