🌿 Simple Ways to Support Local Wildlife

Easy Steps to Make Your Yard a Haven in the Finger Lakes

You don’t need acres of land or a wildlife preserve to make a difference.

Sometimes, supporting local wildlife starts with one feeder, one native plant, or one simple decision in your own backyard.

Here in the Finger Lakes, we share our space with songbirds, pollinators, hawks, foxes, turtles, and countless other species. The good news? Small, intentional choices can create a big impact.

Here are simple ways to help.

🐦 1. Feed Responsibly

Bird feeders are one of the easiest ways to support wildlife — especially during winter and migration seasons.

Offer:

• Black oil sunflower seeds for cardinals & chickadees

• Nyjer (thistle) for goldfinches

• Suet for woodpeckers

But remember:

• Clean feeders monthly

• Refresh seed regularly

• Place feeders safely to reduce window strikes

Consistency matters more than volume.

🌸 2. Plant Native Species

Native plants are the backbone of a healthy ecosystem.

They:

• Support native insects

• Provide natural food sources

• Offer shelter and nesting material

In the Finger Lakes region, consider:

• Coneflowers

• Black-eyed Susans

• Serviceberry

• Elderberry

• Native grasses

Let some seed heads stay through winter — birds depend on them.

💧 3. Provide Fresh Water

Birds and pollinators need clean water year-round.

Simple options:

• A shallow birdbath

• A small fountain

• A heated dish in winter

Moving water attracts more wildlife and prevents freezing during cold months.

🪺 4. Add Safe Nesting Spaces

Cavity-nesting birds rely on tree holes — which are increasingly scarce.

Adding:

• Bluebird houses

• Wren boxes

• Bat houses

…helps replace lost habitat.

Just make sure boxes are properly sized and placed for the species you’re hoping to attract.

🌲 5. Leave a Little Wild

Perfection isn’t nature’s goal.

Consider:

• Leaving brush piles

• Allowing part of your yard to grow naturally

• Keeping fallen leaves in garden beds

These areas provide shelter for insects, small mammals, and overwintering pollinators.

A slightly wild yard is a healthier yard.

🦋 6. Skip the Chemicals

Pesticides and herbicides don’t just target pests — they disrupt entire food chains.

When insects disappear:

• Birds lose food

• Pollinators decline

• Ecosystems weaken

Natural balance is always stronger than chemical control.

🦅 7. Support Migration

The Finger Lakes lie along major migratory routes.

During spring and fall:

• Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights at night

• Keep feeders filled

• Ensure windows are marked to prevent strikes

Migrating birds rely on safe stopovers.

Your yard can be one.

🌊 Why It Matters Here

Living in the Finger Lakes means living in one of New York’s most beautiful and biodiverse regions.

From hawks soaring over Seneca Lake to goldfinches glowing in summer fields, our wildlife is part of what makes this area special.

Supporting local species isn’t complicated.

It’s thoughtful. It’s intentional. It’s community-minded.

🌅 Final Thought

You don’t need to change everything.

Start with one step:

• Add a feeder.

• Plant one native shrub.

• Put out fresh water.

• Leave a corner wild.

Wildlife doesn’t need perfection.

It just needs a little space — and a little kindness.

🌲 Lakes Eleven Trading Co.

Rooted in the Finger Lakes. Inspired by the life around us.

From handcrafted birdhouses to thoughtful outdoor décor, we believe your yard can be both beautiful and beneficial.