Backyard Conservation Current Headlines Projects

Just as they do on the farm, conservation practices on nonagricultural land can help increase food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, control soil erosion, reduce sediment in waterways, conserve water and improve water quality, inspire a stewardship ethic, and beautify the landscape. Backyard Conservation highlights 10 conservation practices used by farmers and ranchers that can be adapted by homeowners in their urban and suburban backyards. Tip sheets offer "how to" steps and helpful hints.

Backyard Conservation shows you how conservation practices that help conserve and improve natural resources on agricultural land across the country can be adapted for use around your home. These practices help the environment and can make your yard more attractive and enjoyable. Most backyard conservation practices are easy to use. America's farmers and ranchers have been using these practices successfully for decades.

Whether you have acres in the country, an average-sized suburban yard, or a tiny plot in the city, you can help protect the environment and add beauty and interest to your surroundings. This colorful publication can get you started. Not only is the booklet brimming with helpful hints, it also contains some of the most stunning, vibrant photographs of backyard wildlife you'll ever lay eyes on.

The tip sheets and colorful 28-page booklet on Backyard Conservation are available free by calling 1-888-LANDCARE (single copies only), emailing landcare@usda.gov or visiting the online.

Backyard Conservation is a cooperative project of the National Association of Conservation Districts, Wildlife Habitat Council, National Audubon Society and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

WHC and USDA NRCS have had a Memoranda of Understanding for the Backyard Conservation Program since 1996. The objectives of WHC’s partnership with the NRCS incorporate the Backyard Conservation Program into nonagricultural and corporately owned land. Under this agreement, WHC works to pilot a backyard conservation outreach program through residential developers and communities, as well as retirement communities. 

"America’s farmers and ranchers do many things to improve wildlife habitat on their land. The Backyard Conservation partnership is teaching students and homeowners to use the same techniques, scaled down for home use, to create yards that support a greater diversity of desirable plants and animals.

I salute the Wildlife Habitat Council and the National Association of Conservation Districts for their work as our partners in providing Backyard Conservation tips to millions of people in cities, suburbs, and rural communities. Backyard Conservation is making homes everywhere more earth friendly."

Bruce I. Knight, Chief
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Backyard Conservation Resources

A variety of plants and a pond with circulating water are featured in a beautiful backyard in Iowa. Photo courtesy of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Whether you live in an apartment in the city, a home in the suburbs, or a farm in the country, your efforts to enhance your property will improve the community, increase your home's aesthetics, and benefit wildlife as well as you and your family. But how do you get started?

The Backyard Conservation portion of this Web site is designed to provide you with assistance in developing and implementing a plan to enhance your property for wildlife. The site provides information on state and federal programs specifically geared toward helping small property owners employ projects; some programs even provide financial assistance.

A listing of native plant nurseries and native plant societies by state will enable you to identify a reputable nursery in your area that deals specifically with native plants. Finally, click on the "Getting Started" link below to help you begin planning your habitat enhancement program.

Getting Started

Informational Resources
As you begin to implement your habitat enhancement program, you may find occasion where you need further assistance. Follow the links below for state and federal agencies and programs, native plant nurseries and societies, and computer software that you may wish to utilize. Many state programs provide technical resources as well as financial assistance. In addition to soil maps, the NRCS has many publications that are geared toward helping the non-professional biologist apply habitat enhancement programs for wildlife, soil conservation, and native plants.

Resources in Your State

Resources for Teachers
Backyard Conservation is an excellent tool for teaching students of all ages about the flora and fauna in local communities. These five lesson modules teach students to appreciate the wildlife in their backyards and take steps to create additional wildlife habitat within their communities. The lessons cover birds and migration, the importance of pollinators, amphibians and native plant communities, and the value of local laws regarding Backyard Conservation. Each lesson contains interdisciplinary activities designed to promote investigation, team-building, and critical thinking. They will stimulate students to understand the wildlife habitats in their backyards.

Backyard Conservation Lesson Plans

Backyard Conservation Partners

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is a federal agency that works in partnership with the American people to conserve and sustain our natural resources. NRCS puts nearly 70 years of experience to work in assisting owners of America's private land with conserving their soil, water, and other natural resources. Local, state and federal agencies and policymakers also rely on our expertise. 

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the non-governmental, nonprofit organization that represents nearly 3,000 conservation districts across the nation. NACD's mission is to enable conservation districts to pool their resources to accomplish collectively what they cannot accomplish individually. As the national voice for all conservation districts, NACD supports voluntary, incentive-driven natural resource conservation programs that benefit all citizens.

Smart Growth

Visit the Residential Developers section to learn about smart growth principles and low impact development examples. In its agreement with NRCS, WHC has been challenged with developing an outreach program that, “will work to emphasize both the environmental and economic benefits of implementing native landscaping…”

Over the past 30 years, numerous studies have shown that residential developments which employ the land’s natural features and implement innovative ecological technologies have reduced construction and long term environmental costs. A residential model incorporates open space or greenspace design, cluster or low impact development and smart growth concepts. It takes advantage of the land’s contours, natural hydrology, and established environs to create a community with minimal impact during development and more permanent, natural open space at completion.

Backyard Buffers, a project of the Three Rivers Habitat Partnership, uses corporate sites as demonstrations for landowners to teach others about the importance of streamside buffers. Natural streamside buffers benefit both wildlife and stream quality. Conversely, mowed lawns can leave little room for life, deteriorate the quality of water, and cause erosion and flooding. Buffers offer water, food, and shelter and little maintenance, as they become stronger in time once established. As plants mature and become more numerous and diverse, they become more capable of holding the soil in place, filtering and slowing runoff. 

All kinds of wildlife have four basic needs: food, water, shelter, and space. Meet these needs and you create a habitat; a home for wildlife. How you provide for these needs, as well as the habitat present in your nearby area, will dictate what type of wildlife you attract. Wildlife further help establish buffers by spreading seeds through consumption or carrying them on their bodies. In addition to the many environmental benefits, riparian buffers have an aesthetic advantage by creating a colorful, private landscape.