22/10/2025
Learn from a biologist how to provide habitats for our local wildlife
Autumn is the season of decreasing temperatures, shorter days and fall leaving. Before you rake up those leaves or clear up debris, consider using your backyard to help wildlife this winter. Wildlife needs adequate food and shelter in the winter. You can provide that by:
• Tolerating “messiness.” Fallen leaves, logs, and dormant stems provide food sources while serving as insulation and cover.
• Planting native. Native flowers, trees, grasses, and shrubs provide habitat resources that turf grass and non-native plants cannot provide.
• Getting creative. Treat habitats in a variety of ways. Pollinator plantings, brush piles, and snags can all provide different types of habitat.
Learn how to build winter wildlife habitat from a district biologist at on.IN.gov/wildlifebiologist.