Install Features & Habitats for Wildlife
The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports an incredible diversity of wildlife, yet, wild animals face increasing pressure as natural areas that traditionally supported diverse habitats are reduced or threatened by human actions and expanding development. You can help by creating sustainable habitat projects that attract and support wildlife in your schoolyard, backyard and community! Explore projects below that provide instructions on creating habitat features for everything from birds, bees and butterflies to amphibians and furry friends! Also visit our More Habitat Project How-To’s page that lists excellent resources for your state with instructions for building, installing and maintaining hundreds of species-specific projects!
Before You Start
Design and Preparation
- Overview: School Grounds Site Assessment
- Schoolyard Wildlife & Habitat Survey
- Field Notes for Completing a Schoolyard Wildlife & Habitat Survey
Implementation
- Attracting Butterflies, Bees & Other Pollinators
- Bird Projects
- Brush Pile Shelters
- Frog Projects
- Gardening for Wildlife
- Low Mow / No Mow Zones
- Nesting Boxes & Structures: Birds & Bats
- Snags & Logs
- Toad Projects
- Water for Wildlife: Ponds, Amphibian Pools & More!
- Wildlife Problem-Solving
- More Habitat Project How-To’s: Excellent State-Specific Resources
Maintenance
Using Your Project
- Overview: Using Your Project
- Eco Schools Schoolyard Habitat Sustainability Pathway
- Monitor for Change
- Bay Backpack: Bay Animals Lesson & Activities
- Youth Garden Clubs, Programs & Resources
- Project WILD (K-12)
- Project WILD: Growing Up WILD (Ages 3-7)
- Fostering Outdoor Observation Skills-Citizen Science K-8 (AFWA)
- Eco-School Sustainability Pathways Lessons & Resources
- Eco School National Standards & Curriculum Alignment
- Project Learning Tree Curriculum Offerings
- Eco Schools Green STEM Initiative