The Urgent Need for More Backyard Habitat
In a time and era when the world, including Arizona, is losing so much habitat to development, overgrazing, mining, and other destructive forces we all need to collectively step up and help protect the magnificent Biodiversity of the Sky Islands.
There is no better or more satisfying way to accomplish this lofty goal than to create and improve your own backyard habitat! In doing so, you will immensely benefit the native plant species with which you landscape, as well as many wildlife species dependent upon these plants and the other habitat features on your property. All of our yards added up equal a tremendous acreage of potential wildlife habitat. Backyard habitat is one concrete way where we all can help to preserve Sky Islands Biodiversity!
One of the main challenges and impediments to attracting wildlife to your home is the lack of knowledge. Many well-meaning, yet uninformed homeowners truly desire to help wildlife, yet lack the information as to how to accomplish this goal.
If you truly desire to benefit a broad spectrum of native plants and wildlife, then there is no better way than to create a diverse and ecologically sound habitat all around your home.
Here are some benefits to ponder when considering whether or not you would like to hire Ravens-Way Wild Journeys LLC to help create or improve wildlife habitat in your yard or land:
- For a modest investment, you will both greatly increase your property value and also help protect our unique Sky Islands Biodiversity
- Everyday you will enjoy the beauty, sights, smells, and sounds of a diverse native plant habitat and all of the wildlife that it attracts
- You can lower your heating and cooling consumption immensely via proper landscaping
- Studies show that time spent in nature – in this case your own yard – helps reduce stress and is conducive to a peaceful existence
Consultation with Naturalist, Ethnobotanist, and Wildlife Biologist Vincent Pinto includes:
- Initial Meeting to understand your wishes
- A survey of your property’s existing habitat, including:
- Plants
- Wildlife
- Habitat Features
- Soils
- Aspects
- Slopes & Drainage
- Rainwater Harvesting potential
- A detailed species list of the flora, fauna, and habitat currently residing on your land
- Photos of your existing native plants with identification of each species. Nonnative plants on your land mostly do not benefit wildlife and almost always we recommend their replacement with native species.
- A list of the useful native plants on your land, including what they are useful for – edible plants, medicinal plants, ones that can make rope, etc…
- A detailed proposal with cost analysis for improving your backyard habitat:
- Lists of suggested native plants & the wildlife they are likely to attract
- Specific suggestions for various “target” wildlife groups, such as: Hummingbirds, Birds in general, Butterflies, Lizards, Mammals, etc…
- Other Recommended Habitat Alterations, such as water features, rock-scaping, etc…
- Xeriscaping ideas and recommendations
- Rainwater Harvesting suggestions
- Proposed Landscaping Map with the arrangement of would-be habitat features and plant species
- Recommendations to deal with any nonnative plants and “problem” wildlife species
- Identification of potentially dangerous plants and animals in your yard, as well as tips on coexisting with them and minimizing threats
- Proposals for removal of any harmful landscape elements – i.e. things that may harm native plants, wildlife, or your house
If you choose to proceed with our recommendations, then we will propose a schedule to create your Backyard Wildlife Habitat. When you choose to embark on habitat creation and restoration with professionals, then you know you will receive extraordinary results!
Implementation of your Backyard Habitat Plan includes:
- Installation of your backyard habitat, including native plants, water features, other habitat features
- Careful and thoughtful work, that minimizes any disturbances to your land
- Our crew will leave you yard impeccable and looking beautiful right from the start
- A new map of your improved Backyard Habitat, including details of all that was installed
- Photos e-mailed to you of all the native plant species in your yard, including their human uses
- Recommendations for saving water in regards to your Backyard Wildlife Habitat
- A final walk-through of your new habitat, where Vincent will describe what each plant and habitat feature will likely attract to your yard.
- A 6-month and a 1-year follow-up visits to check on progress and to help insure your satisfaction with your Backyard Wildlife Habitat
If you choose to proceed with our recommendations, then we will propose a schedule to create your Backyard Wildlife Habitat. When you choose to embark on habitat creation and restoration with professionals, then you know you will receive extraordinary results!
Consulting Rates:
Please note that the rates below are for Consulting and therefore DO NOT include the labor for planting and creating your Backyard Habitat Plan:
- $100/hour for Initial Habitat Consultation on your land, for research time, and for your initial report
- minimum of 5 hours for your project is required, which includes field time and research/computer time
- $75/hour for Supervising the Implementation of your Wildlife Habitat Restoration Plan, exclusive of any materials costs, such as native plants, pond equipment, etc…
- minimum of 10 hours for your project is required
