Increase Natural Habitats Around Your Cabin to Increase Wildlife Use

Using natural landscaping and increasing native habitat can increase wildlife use around a cabin. Providing water, shelter and native plants can encourage wildlife use.

Create Shelter and Grazing Areas:
On our mountain hillside, we have opened up the thick forest to reduce fire danger around our small cabin. This provided more sunlight and which has improved the condition of the grass for the deer and moose that wander through the property. We have left thicker areas on the edges to provide area for wildlife shelter. The deer bed down in areas that they can feel secure and sheltered.

Provide a Water Source:
We added a small fish pond to provide a water source for our wildlife, which includes deer, birds, and squirrels. It really increased the wildlife on our property. It was created by using native stone on the property to line the pond that was dug out. A rubber liner was dropped into the pond. The sides were mounded and built up with more local stone, to build stone walls. A waterfall was built to drop into the pond, to provide water circulation in the pond. A medium sized water pump is mounted in the pond and provides a nice two foot drop. This is enough to add a moderate sound of water to the landscape.

Birds and Butterflies:
A variety of birds use this waterfall to drink from during the hot, dry days of summer. They land on a small waterfall that is above the pond, or on the rocks around the pond. They use the pond as a bird bath and to drink. A pebble area on the waterfall allows butterflies to use the waterfall. It is in an area where it is damp, but no direct water falls on them. The native plants that bloom also attract the butterflies.

Native Plants:
We have left the area around our cabin in native grasses. The majority of the plants we placed around the pond are native plants including native bushes. They are hardier and require less water than other non native species. We avoid using chemicals on our land to avoid polluting natural water sources around our land. Native grasses are important because they are tolerant to the local weather and soil conditions. They use much less water than non native plants. They are also less likely to become invasive.

Landscaping that encourages wildlife by providing shelter, water and grazing can provide the small cabin owner with plenty of wildlife viewing enjoyment.