Presentation Notes SESSION 1: Slide 1 Cover slide Slide 2 Welcome - PDF document

Presentation Notes SESSION 1: Slide 1 – Cover slide Slide 2 – Welcome and program background Welcome to the ‘What’s in Your WILD Backyard?’ – Backyard Wildlife Workshop The Backyard Wildlife Workshop was created by the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) with the idea of connecting people, in particular families and children, with the wildlife and habitat that exists in their own yards. There has been a longtime partnership between IWF and Carmel Clay Parks & Rec (CCP&R). Several Carmel Clay parks, including Central Park and West Park, have been certified by IWF as wildlife-friendly parks and CCP&R has been a leader and strong role model in creating wildlife habitat and using sustainable practices on park properties and grounds. Carmel Clay was the perfect park system to pilot the Workshop because of the strong supportive partnership that exists. So THANK YOU for being a part of our pilot program. INSTRUCTOR Introductions FACILITIES – Bathrooms, break times, any other details, etc… COURSE STRUCTURE – The workshop is three 1.5 hour long sessions. At the end of the program, each family will receive a free membership to the Indiana Wildlife Federation, which will give you additional access to resources, workshops, field trips and will also keep you updated on wildlife issues in the state. Each session the adults and children will learn in separate groups for the first hour and then adults and children will come together for a fun activity. KIDS – break out with their instructor ADULTS – the first hour will be spent covering the learning objectives for each session, incorporating lots of ideas for turning your yard into a fun wildlife haven that your whole family can enjoy. OPTIONAL ICE BREAKER ACTIVITY- Nature names or other activity *Hand out manuals, begin presentation

Slide 3 – The What, The How, and The Why PROBLEMS – As populations grow and humans convert more wild space to conventional landscapes with manicured lawns, beds full of exotic flower species and rows of non-native trees, our Indiana plants and animals lose valuable habitat and food sources that are necessary for survival. Practices that are used to maintain traditional landscaping not only jeopardize wildlife and plant populations; they also impair water quality and contribute to human health problems.  Key point: Changing natural habitat into lawns and gardens with mostly exotic plants harms our local plants and animals. We may not realize it, but our everyday actions (like fertilizing) have a detrimental impact on wildlife, the air and water, and on us. SOLUTIONS – There are many small steps you can take in your own yard that will make a big difference - not only for wildlife, but also for the habitat YOU live in…your BACKYARD! Ideally, everyone will begin to look at how their landscaping practices affect the ecosystems around them. As we work through these workshops we hope that you will begin to look at how you can slowly reduce your lawn areas and replace them with a mix of habitat types. A healthy balance of traditional turfgrass and habitat areas will create an attractive backyard that both you and your wildlife neighbors can appreciate and enjoy.  Key point: Small changes can really help! The info and techniques introduced in this 3- part workshop will help you make easy adjustments that will save wildlife. Balance is key for the health and happiness of you and your human and animal neighbors! PROGRAM BENEFITS - There are many benefits of creating a wildlife friendly backyard. In addition to being one of the simplest, effective and most rewarding ways that you can help the environment and your local ecosystems, the benefits include cost savings, wildlife watching, more free time to spend with family and friends, educational and entertainment opportunities, and knowing that you are doing your part to improve habitat in Indiana.  Key point: Benefits of a wildlife-friendly yard include spending quality time outdoors, saving money, observing wildlife, spending time with family/friends, learning, and protecting our natural heritage. Slide 4 – Back to Basics – Ecosystems INTRODUCING ECOSYSTEMS - You may not notice it on your way to school or work each day, but wildlife is all around us! From the tiniest organisms that can only be seen with a microscope to the largest ones that swim in the depths of the ocean.

The interactions of plants and animals with the area where they live make up an ecosystem . Ecosystems can be any size; there is an ecosystem in your backyard, and there is also a global ecosystem. Obviously there are many factors that influence ecosystems. Examples of influencers in your backyard ecosystem could be applying fertilizer, mowing your lawn, the types of plants you plant, construction projects such as decks or patios, just to name a few. Examples of influencers on the global ecosystem would be things like oil spills, overfishing, deforestation, and industrial and vehicle emissions. Implementing small changes in your backyard can make a significant impact! Slide 5 – Habitat Fragmentation The biggest threat to wildlife and habitat in Indiana (and worldwide) is habitat fragmentation due to development and human infrastructure needs. Habitat fragmentation means that the habitat area that a species uses is sectioned into smaller spaces or separated by a road or some other kind of barrier. It isolates individuals or populations from each other and from resources. EXAMPLES - For example, many salamanders show a “homing” behavior which means they return to their birthplace to reproduce. Roads, buildings, and other obstacles and hazards significantly reduce the chance they’ll make it back and breed! Other examples – turtles crossing roads to lay eggs, monarchs having to travel further distances to find milkweed. Slide 6 – Green Infrastructure: Corridors & Hubs A great way to combat habitat fragmentation is by creating wildlife habitat corridors . It’s easiest to start a corridor with a hub area such as a park, nature preserve or any large piece of habitat land area – now imagine all of the backyards that border these rich habitat areas start to incorporate the 4 Basic Needs of Wildlife, we begin to build corridors, kind of like a spider web, that many species can use for migrating, nesting, finding food sources, etc You may not think it’s a big deal but enhancing habitat in your backyard is a HUGE help for wildlife! Slide 7 – Wh y Does My Backyard Matter? What’s In My Backyard? In this session, we will look at three main topics: Wildlife’s Basic Needs, Benefits of Habitats, Indiana’s Habitats and Your Wildlife Neighbors .

LEARNING OBJECTIVES – In this lesson, we’ll hear about…  Basi c needs of wildlife and how those are connected to humans’ needs  The link between one backyard and whole ecosystems  Habitat fragmentation and its harmful effects  Concept of biodiversity  Benefits of wildlife friendly habitats  Indiana’s exciting native wildlife and the “worst offender” invasive plants and animals Slide 8 – Lesson cover slide (Basic Needs) Just like people, wildlife has some simple requirements for survival. All plants and animals need Food, Water, Shelter and a Place for Nesting or Raising Young . Let’s talk a bit more about each of these elements. Slide 9 – Types of Food FOOD - You’ll hear the term Native Plants quite a bit throughout these sessions – Native plants are plants that are found in an area only from natural processes, not through human intervention. They are plants that have been in an area or ecosystem for a long time and are specifically adapted to the environment. They require less water and nutrients to thrive and they provide a huge benefit to the wildlife that is native to an area. The easiest and most cost effective way to provide food for wildlife, birds and pollinators in your yard is by incorporating native plants in your landscape. You can also supplement with other food sources, such as bird and squirrel feeders. Different Types of Food:  Nuts or hard mast (acorns, pecans, walnuts, hickory nuts – squirrels, deer)  Fleshy fruits or soft mast (wild grapes, blackberries, persimmons, sumac, rose hips)  Seeds – examples (sunflower seeds, ragweed, pines)  Other Plant Parts (leaves, roots, nectar, grasses, sap, pondweeds)  Insects/prey (meal worms, mosquitoes, caterpillars, beetles, small birds and mammals) Slide 10 – Diversity and Natural vs. Supplemental Food Sources DIVERSITY – Diversity is Key! A variety of food sources will support a variety of birds, pollinators, and animals throughout the seasons.