Make your backyard a haven for wildlife and enjoy the serenity of watching nature from the convenience of your own home.
Many backyards in Aiken County already qualify for the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification and others are just a few steps away, but most people don't realize the steps to become certified.
When Cedar Creek residents Ron and Heidi Kulpa moved to Aiken last November, they decided to make their backyard a wildlife habitat.
"I read about it online and thought this area is just perfect for it," said Heidi. "It is a really simple thing to do."
In May the Kulpas' yard joined more than 5,000 certified yard owners in South Carolina with the distinction of Certified Wildlife Habitat.
"Applying for Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification through the National Wildlife Federation consists of providing food, shelter, water and places to raise young for creatures and animals alike. Pictures and detailed descriptions of your backyard habitat are required prior to certification," said Sarah Lloyd, South Carolina Wildlife Federation coordinator of policy and conservation. "South Carolina is No. 1 in the nation for the most certified backyard wildlife habitats, per capita with over 5,000. The Kulpas have one of the newer certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat sites."
The Kulpas' backyard features several bird feeders and houses, a water source and nesting locations in addition to a wild garden which is much loved by the butterflies and local deer. Many of the plants the Kulpas selected for their yard offer food sources for birds and other small animals.
On any given day, the Kulpas can observe blue birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, deer, squirrel, hawks, a black racer snake, wrens and more without leaving their backyard.
"It's not difficult. You just follow the guidelines, and when you are planting, look for plants native to South Carolina," said Kulpa. "I am sure a lot of people qualify but just don't know about the program. We love to sit and watch the birds; we have always enjoyed nature."
For more information on how to qualify your backyard for the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification program, visit www.scwf.org/index.php/education-programs/habitats/bwh.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.
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