How to Help Wildlife to Survive and Thrive

Earth is home to an incredible array of wildlife, and many live in close proximity to humans. Coexisting effectively with these creatures involves taking responsibility for our actions, which includes doing what we can to preserve struggling species. Following are simple things you can do to help bears, ocean life, and pollinators survive and thrive.

How to live in harmony with bears

If you’re fortunate enough to live someplace where you see bears, it’s important to realize there’s danger when wild animals venture close to neighborhoods. Bears can have a home range of up to several hundred square miles. This means they might explore further in search of food, leaving park land and coming onto private property. There are a number of steps you can take to give these large mammals the room they need to roam while keeping your home safe.

Living in bear country requires being aware of your surroundings and staying on the lookout for anything that might entice these animals to come too close. In order to keep food sources out of reach, double bag your trash, secure garbage containers in a garage or shed, and consider investing in bear-proof cans. If you have fruit trees, they can also be a draw for bears, so you should pick fruit as soon as it’s ripe. This also goes for vegetables. Produce should be harvested when ready and not left to rot. Lime can be added to compost to reduce odors and discourage bears.

Think twice about feeding birds during the summer. It’s better to put out feeders in the winter when bears are hibernating and food is less available for birds. If you like to barbecue, be sure to clean your grill afterward, as food residue and the smell of oil could attract bears. Finally, if a bear approaches your property, keep your distance and try to scare them away by yelling or banging something to make a loud noise. A call to your local wildlife service can help in the removal bears that are a nuisance.

How to protect ocean species

The ocean is home to a large variety of species, some of which are endangered. In order for marine mammals and fish to thrive, the Earth’s water bodies have to be healthy. This is critical, too, for all of the planet’s inhabitants in that our oceans are a food source that produce more than half of the oxygen in our atmosphere and regulate our climate and weather. To support the oceans and species that live in them or dwell on the shore, it’s important to begin by exploring these water systems and learning about them.

There are other impactful actions you can take to protect this sensitive ecosystem. Honoring the oceans means that you should never leave a trace that you were there when you visit the shore or go out on the water. For a day at the beach, apply sunscreen that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals that can get into the water and harm coral reefs. Bring your trash home, and don’t do damage by dumping motor oil and the like. When you purchase seafood, select items that were produced in a sustainable fashion, whether farmed or harvested directly from the ocean.

Invasive species are a problem in some waterways, and this is where human behavior can make a difference. You can reduce the risk that these organisms will end up where they shouldn’t and cause havoc for native species by properly cleaning your watercraft and related equipment when they come out of the water. Fish responsibly by not using live bait and abiding by regulations.

How to attract pollinators

You can support wildlife in your backyard by creating a pollinator-friendly zone for hummingbirds and insects. Start with indigenous plants that will draw hummingbirds and pollinating insects to your yard. Scan garden centers for perennial flowers and shrubs that bloom at various times during the growing season. You might even find greenery that is labeled as attracting butterflies or another pollinating species.

Arrange your landscape with flowering plants placed in clumps so the colors will be readily seen from above and attract pollinators. Flying from plant to plant to consume nectar is hard work, and these little creatures have to be well hydrated. A shallow container with fresh water will provide pollinators with a place to rest and quench their thirst. Leaf litter can offer shelter so species have a place to overwinter and nest. In addition, you could erect a bee box for a more permanent habitat.

Pesticides should be used with discretion. If you feel you must apply such products to encourage plant growth, do so with an awareness that bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other flying species can be hurt if the nectar they drink has any trace of these chemicals.

In closing

There’s nothing quite like the joy of knowing that your small actions can make it easier for bears, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, fish, and a range of marine mammals to survive and thrive.