Woman converts backyard into certified wildlife habitat The National Wildlife Federation has certified Nona Schley's yard as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. She provides food, water, shelter and a place to raise the wildlife's young (photo by Tina Gohr). By Tina M. Gohr News-Chronicle Nona Schley is a bird enthusiast. "No expert," she is quick to note. She delights in watching the birds among the feeders and baths nestled among the plants and bushes in her small backyard on the city's West Side. Schley takes pride in her yard and whatever nature bonus show it attracts. "For years I did whatever I could to attract the birds," she said. And she's been quite successful at it. Schley heard through a friend how she could attract small creatures by turning her yard into an official wildlife habitat site. "My friend was adding hundreds of trees to her acreage and doing all these wonderful things. She was in the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program and I thought you needed all this acreage. I have a postage stamp," Schley said about the size of her yard. During her research, Schley read that the National Wildlife Federation certified a rooftop garden in the program. That's all she needed to see. After all, she already created a beautiful playground for passing birds. "All you really need is native species plants that provide the elements for wildlife," she explained. The elements are food, water, shelter/cover and a place to raise their young. Making landscapes more hospitable to wildlife enhances the environment's quality by improving the air, soil and water through the community, according to the National Wildlife Federation. The list of native trees, shrubs and plants to Wisconsin is massive. Schley's backyard hasn't been converted into a forest. She created the open space by planting the required shrubs and plants around the perimeter of her yard. The transformation was "a little at a time." It really doesn't appear to be a yard out of the ordinary. "I don't have a green thumb," she admitted. "I'm no plant expert, either, but if I can do it, there are hundreds of backyards in Green Bay alone that can easily be certified." Schley defines her yard as "simple;" she chooses bushes that are medium in height and plants that are controllable rather than quickly spreading. Her favorite is the high bush cranberry, which attracts a variety of birds with its red fruit. A concord grapevine weaves through her chainlink fence, providing shelter and nesting area for the birds. There are approximately eight decorated birdhouses and as many feeders and birdbaths. About half are in sight while the others are partially hidden among the bushes. She replenishes the feeders and replaces water on a daily basis. On a recent midday visit, the Langlade Street yard was busy with sparrows, an unusual red dragonfly hovering about and a couple of "sassy" chipmunks chasing each other. Her yard attracts finches, red-winged blackbirds, robins and pigeons, plenty of butterflies, bees and squirrels. She has been able to hand-feed a couple of inquisitive black-capped chickadees. "The fun part is that you can spend a lot of time outdoors watching them," she said. "What I get out of it is the enjoyment. It's a learning process and I'm not done yet. I'm still experimenting with the plants - to be more in compliance. They (wildlife federation) gave me so many good ideas. "But the big picture is that more native species plants are being brought back a little at a time where they once were and belong. Any nursery can provide a list of native species." FYI The Backyard Wildlife Habitat Starter Kit, including a planning guide, is available for $25. The planning guide can be purchased separately for $14.95. Both can be ordered in the Habitat Shop at www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/ or calling 1-800-900-2656. The National Wildlife Federation has certified more than 1,800 schools, homes and businesses as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat site since 1973.