All species of plants and animals— including people—need a proper combination of food, water, cover, and space to survive and reproduce.

Together, these elements make up a “habitat.” Without habitat, a species cannot survive.

Your balcony, patio, or backyard can be essential habitat for local wildlife. Here are some ways you can make your property a safe, healthy place for wildlife.

Put out feed. Make a feeder by cutting a large opening in a clean, plastic juice bottle and hang it by its handle. Sunflower seeds attract the most types of birds. And don’t put out baked goods, which are bad for birds.

You can also place squirrel feeders, or butterfly feeders.

Hang nesting material. Birds love wood shavings, short lengths of yarn, burlap threads, wool, cotton batting, or furniture stuffing. Avoid mesh bags that birds may become entangled in.

Put up a birdhouse. In neighbourhoods with few wooded areas, birdhouses can be very important. Place your birdhouse out of reach of cats and clean it out in the fall. If you build your own, remember that certain dimensions are necessary to attract specific species.

Grow native (or naturalized) trees, shrubs, plants. They provide shelter, places to raise young, and food sources. Good choices include aspen (Populus), willow (Salix), dogwoods (Cornus), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier), sunflowers, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Columbine, bee balm (Monarda), Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium), and Asters. White Cedar and White Spruce provide year-round green and good cover. No yard? Try planters.

Plants native to Canada are the best choice because they are hardy require less watering and little maintenance, attract beneficial insects, and have evolved with local wildlife.

Put out a bird bath. Wildlife need water sources for bathing, drinking and reproduction. A plant saucer with textured finish and a stone in the middle is good. Avoid metal in winter. Place bath in an open area and near a perch. Scrub it weekly and rinse it well if you use soap.

Rein in your pets. Give local wildlife a little bit of space, and keep your yard Fido-free when you can. Keep cats indoors in the spring and fall and belled throughout the year.