It is easy as individuals to have a fatalistic outlook on the condition of the environment. The news is constantly reporting oil spills, rampant development, and de-forestation in the Amazon. What can we do as individuals to stem the tide?

Even those that live in suburban areas can help support and sustain some of the smaller wildlife species. If you are a bird lover and enjoy watching their antics, you can attract birds and other small species by placing feeders in strategic places. They will provide hours of enjoyment, and you will be lending a hand to the survival of these small animals.

It is easy to attract and maintain many bird species by following a few simple steps. The key is to provide the basic elements: food, water, shelter and a place to raise their young. By using different types of feeders, you can attract a wider range of species and enjoy the diverse coloration, habits and sizes of birds.

Tube feeders are good for small to medium size perching birds such as finches, chickadees and titmouses. Platform feeders or hopper feeders are better for Cardinals and other larger birds because they allow a level surface for the birds to land and feed. Thistle socks are good for Goldfinches. Suet feeders are excellent for woodpeckers and other clinging birds and even some perching birds will feed at them as well.

Black oil sunflower seeds are the single best food that will attract a wide range of species, but other more specialized foods will attract other species such as Orioles that love fruit. A holder for orange halves or the rind of grapefruit is attractive to Orioles.

Hummingbirds are nature’s little jewels and a pleasure to watch. They come to various types of feeders containing sugar water or special pre-mixed formulas. Feeders require cleaning and filling frequently, but the reward is worth the effort. In order to prepare your own food for hummers, boil water and add sugar at a level of four parts water to one part sugar. Allow this to boil for a few moments and be sure the sugar completely dissolves. Boiling assures that the food is sterile.

You can enhance habitat for birds and small animals by planting flowers, shrubs, and plants that bear seeds and berries. Maintaining a small garden pool will allow you to enjoy fish and frogs as well as supplying a water source for the birds, squirrels and other small animals. Birdbaths provide extra watering sites and nesting boxes provide sites for raising young.

Leaving dense shrubs along fence lines provides cover and natural nesting sites. If you have wooded areas, leaving standing dead timber provides nesting sites for woodpeckers and leaving some brush piles and briar patches provides additional cover.

If you provide all the essential elements to support wildlife, you can have your yard certified by the National Wildlife Federation as I have, and post an attractive sign in your yard to let your neighbors know that you are doing your part to help make the habitat better for animals. Just go online at www.nwf.org for the details.

NWF does not always see eye to eye with sportsmen, but we need to do all we can to improve habitat and maintain these species.

If you are a major landowner, you can have much more of an impact on wildlife, including large species such as turkeys and deer. SCDNR and Clemson University are both great sources of information on wildlife habitat management and are eager to assist sportsmen in worthwhile projects.

Contact me at lross3871@charter.net.