Helping Wildlife

Many factors in our ever changing world including habitat loss, invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species , and climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

Learn more about climate change , are impacting our native wildlife species. The good news is, regardless of where you live, whether it be an apartment with just a window, a condo with a balcony or window ledge, or a home with a small, medium or large yard, everyone can play a role in helping wildlife. Find your living situation listed below and learn simple steps you can take to support and protect native wildlife. 

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Do You Have an Apartment with a Window

Make Your Home Bird Safe  

The State of Oregon includes many different types of ecosystems. This makes it a great home for a diversity of birds, all of which benefit from our protection.  Any small action to help birds has a huge impact: 

• Move large houseplants away from windows where birds may mistake them for a garden 
• Place bird decals on the outside of your windows  
• Paint your windows with tempura paint – fun for kids and helpful to birds 
• Close the curtains at night or keep the lights down low to help night- migrators stay on track 
• Keep cats indoors 

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Do You Have a Window Ledge or Balcony

Food 

• Hang or pot some nectar plants 
• Hang a bird feeder (remember to do your homework on what kind of birds will be attracted to your feeder!) 

Water  

• Provide a water source like a small bird bath or a bee water station 

Shelter  

• Hang a bird house (be sure to do your research on which birds will like which house – not all birdhouses are created equal)  
• Hang a mason bee block to help our pollinators 

Safety 

• Place bird deterrent decals on the outside of your windows  
• Move large houseplants away from windows to help prevent bird strikes  
• Paint your windows with tempura paint – fun for kids and helpful to birds 
• Close the curtains at night or keep the lights down low to help nighttime migratory birds stay on track 
• Keep cats indoors 

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Do You Have a Small Yard or Flower Patch

Food  

• Plant a variety of native plants to provide year round food 
• Install a bird or squirrel feeder 
• Supply insect habitat with native plants and pollinator friendly flowers – insects make great food for many other animals 
• Choose non-toxic forms of pest control 

Water  

• Install a bird bath 
• Place a bee watering station in a warm sunny spot 
• Add a small water feature 

Shelter  

• Landscape with wood, rock, or brush piles  
• Leave leaf litter and other debris whenever possible 
• Leave a wild patch 
• Hang a bird house or bat box 
• Plant low growing plants and ground cover 
• Hang mason bee boxes or leave hollow stems uncut for burrowing bees 

Safety 

• Keep cats indoors or in a catio 
• Keep swimming pools covered when not in use 
• Maintain bird-safe windows by using window decals 
• Turn off lights in the evening to help nighttime migratory birds stay on track 
• Leave animals undisturbed, especially in the winter months during hibernation! 

Storm Water Management  

• Plant a rain garden 
• Fertilize responsibly 

Invasive SpeciesRemoval 

• Get to know invasives plants and animals in your area and learn how to best remove them 
• Be mindful of what you decide to plant – No Invasive Species!  

Image Details

Do You Have a Medium or Large Yard

Food  

• Plant a variety of native plants to provide year round food 
• Install a bird or squirrel feeder 
• Supply insect habitat with native plants and pollinator friendly flowers – insects make great food for many other animals 
• Choose non-toxic forms of pest control 

Water  

• Install a bird bath 
• Place a bee watering station in a warm sunny spot 
• Create a water feature like a pond or fountain 

Shelter  

• Landscape using wood, rock, or brush piles 
• Leave a dead snag or install a large log
• Leave leaf litter and other debris whenever possible 
• Leave a wild patch 
• Hang a bird house or bat box 
• Make a toad abode 
• Plant low growing plants and ground cover 
• Hang mason bee boxes or leave hollow stems uncut for burrowing 

Safety 

• Keep cats indoors or in a catio 
• Keep swimming pools covered when not in use 
• Maintain bird-safe windows by using window decals 
• Turn off lights in the evening to help nighttime migratory birds stay on track 
• Leave animals undisturbed, especially in the winter months during hibernation! 

Storm water Management  

• Plant a rain garden 
• Fertilize responsibly 

Invasive Species Removal 

• Get to know invasive plants and animals in your area and learn how to best remove them 
• Be mindful of what you decide to plant – No Invasive Species! 

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