Wildlife in Your Garden: Planting and Landscaping to Create a Backyard Sanctuary

Imagine a thriving garden in your backyard, bursting with vibrantly colored blooms and lush green leaves, shaded by tall trees. Now imagine the same garden, alive with buzzing and flapping and chirping and croaking. Imagine the ecological impact of encouraging natural pollinators. Imagine the excitement of watching your garden become a hub of activity and learning about all of its different visitors. For those who relish observing nature in action, planning a garden to attract certain types of wildlife can bring daily enjoyment right into the backyard. Inside Wildlife in Your Garden: How to deal with and even appreciate the insects in your garden Reptile and amphibian backyard visitors and how they can contribute to a healthy ecosystem “Birdscaping”—planning and planting with birds in mind A special section on hummingbirds that includes an illustrated guide to twelve common types Using binoculars and field guides to identify birds by sight and by calls Different types of pollination and the plants and food crops that depend on it Butterfly metamorphosis and gardening for the different life stages How bats and moths take over pollination duties at night Learning to coexist with four-legged furry friends who like to dig and forage Natural ways to protect your garden from pests and discourage harmful wildlife

Karen Lanier is a naturalist, documentarian, teacher, artist, and gardener who explores the intersections of nature and culture. Karen holds degrees in photography, foreign language, conservation studies, and documentary studies as well as a professional environmental educator certificate. Karen worked as a seasonal park ranger in state and national parks across the US before settling in Kentucky. Her Americorps volunteer experience with Seedleaf, a community gardening nonprofit, helped her shift her migratory perspective on life toward putting down roots. She is actively involved with native plant, community gardening, and environmental education groups in her area.