4-H WILDLIFE PROJECT—INTERMEDIATE UNIT BOOK 2

The Wildlife Manager

College of Agricultural SciencesCooperative Extension

CONTENTSIntroduction ................................................................. 1

Chapter 1: Pennsylvania Habitats ....................... 2Why Study Habitat? ................................. 2An Overview of Pennsylvania

Habitats ............................................... 2Habitat Suitability .................................... 4Factors Affecting Habitat Suitability ....... 4Wildlife Career: Food and

Cover Technician ................................. 7Field Work!ACTIVITY 1—Habitat Survey .................... 7

Chapter 2: Introduction to HabitatManagement ...................................... 16Identifying Management Objectives ...... 16Planning Habitat Management .............. 16An Overview of Habitat Management

Practices ............................................ 17Wildlife Career: Naturalist ..................... 17Field Work!ACTIVITY 2—Identify Resources in

Your Study Area ................................ 20

Chapter 3: Managing NeighborhoodHabitats ............................................... 22Characteristics of

Neighborhood Habitats ..................... 23Habitat Management Practices for

Neighborhood Habitats ..................... 24Wildlife Career: Conservation

Officers ............................................. 29Field Work!ACTIVITY 3—Habitat Management ........ 30Field Work!ACTIVITY 4—Landowner

Interviews ......................................... 31

Chapter 4: Developing a HabitatManagement Plan ............................. 34Wildlife Career: WildlifeConsultants ............................................ 34Field Work!ACTIVITY 5—Preparing a Neighborhood

Management Plan ............................. 35Project Completion Ideas ....................... 40

AppendixesAppendix 1: Habitat Requirements for

Selected Species Found inNeighborhood Habitats ..................... 41Summary Chart ................................. 44

Appendix 2: Additional Resources ........ 45

Note to Educators and 4-H Leaders:This project is most appropriate for youth ages 12 and up. Itaddresses several key sections of Pennsylvania’s AcademicStandards for Environment and Ecology, including sections:4.6.7, 4.6.10, 4.7.7, and 4.7.10.

4-H ACTIVITIES REPORTThis report will help you keep a better record of yourclub activities. Fill it in as you complete each assign-ment. Refer to this record when you are entering county,state, and national programs. Ask your 4-H leader toexplain these programs to you.

Projects taken

Offices held

Club

County

Committees

“Show-and-tells” or presentations given to:

Local club

County

Region

State

Others

News articles

Radio

TV

Displays or exhibits

Things done to improve your health

Community service or citizenship work done:

By yourself

With club

Number of meetings your club(s) held this year

Number you attended

Number of persons you encouraged to join 4-H

Number of 4-H’ers you helped with projects

In what way

Check activities in which you participated and tellhow you helped

❑ Camp

❑ Club or county tours

❑ Club picnic

❑ County fair

❑ Achievement programs

❑ Roundup

❑ Leadership training

❑ State 4-H Capital Days

❑ Penn State 4-H Achievement Days

❑ Pennsylvania Farm Show

❑ National 4-H Week

❑ State Ambassador Conference

❑ Quiz bowls

❑ Hippology

❑ Judging

❑ Others

AUTHORS: Lisa M.Williams, conservation education specialist; Margaret C. Brittingham, associate professor of wildlife resources,Penn State; and Sanford S. Smith, natural resources and youth specialist, Penn State

ILLUSTRATIONS: Jeffery Mathison, pp. 3 (backyard), 4 (field), 5, 6, 22 (neighborhood), 23, 24, and 34; and John Sidelinger, cover,and pp. 1, 2, 3 (wetland and stream), 4 (squirrel and blackbird), 16–19, 22 (bird), 25, 28 (lawn), and 29

Visit Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences on the Web: www.cas.psu.edu

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research, extension, and resident education programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealthof Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment withoutregard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is thepolicy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibitsdiscrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexualorientation, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct allinquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA16802-2801, Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY.

Produced by Information and Communication Technologies in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

© The Pennsylvania State University 2002 5M12/02nvo4442

D0615A

4-H Club Motto“To make the best better”

4-H Club PledgeI pledge

my head to clearer thinking,

my heart to greater loyalty,

my hands to larger service, and

my health to better living, for

my club,

my community,

my country, and

my world.

4-H Club ColorsGreen and White

18 U.S.C. 707

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INTRODUCTIONThis 4-H project book is the second book in theIntermediate Unit. It is designed to lead you moredeeply into the topic of wildlife management. WhileBook 1: The Wildlife Ecologist focused on observa-tion of the natural world and its processes, Book 2:The Wildlife Manager goes beyond observation tothe more complex idea of managing wildlife andhabitats. In this book, you will survey an outdoorarea to identify its habitat suitability for wildlife,inventory the wildlife present, identify those thatcould live in the area, and make management recom-mendations to improve the habitat for target species.Understanding how the pieces fit together is excit-ing—this is the essence of wildlife management!

Book 2 is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1describes the major habitat types found in Pennsyl-vania and provides a review of the factors influenc-ing habitat suitability. Chapter 2 introduces theimportant concept of carrying capacity and basichabitat management practices. Chapter 3 describessome common habitat management practices forneighborhood, park, backyard, or schoolyard habi-tats. Chapter 4 takes you through the process ofwriting a habitat management plan.

As in Book 1, this project book provides factsand information about the study of wildlife ecologyand wildlife management. To become a true wildlifemanager, you will need to go beyond the simplelearning of facts and information. Most wildlifeprofessionals have a keen interest, respect, andoften, passion for wildlife and their habitats. Thisfeeling for the outdoors will take root and grow ifyou spend time with nature, observing the seasons,watching wild animals, and thinking about hownatural systems work. You can learn the facts ofthe outdoors from a book, but you can only reallyunderstand the outdoors by spending time in it.So go outdoors and begin to learn how the wildworld works—it will be a lesson that stays with youfor a lifetime!

This 4-H project book contains many “FieldWork!” exercises. These activities are designed totake you a step beyond nature journaling to activelyrecording details of wildlife species and habitatsaround you and planning management activities tobenefit wildlife. Nearly all habitat managers record

field observations and plan their managementactivities in a field notebook. This project book canserve as your field notebook, or you may use athree-ring binder. The only other tools needed forthis project are a few pens and pencils. A pair ofbinoculars and a few basic field identificationguides may also be useful. Field guides can beborrowed from most libraries.

When selecting a location to conduct “FieldWork!” activities, make sure you have permissionfrom the landowner if the property is privatelyowned. This will be your “study area” for theproject. Select a safe location and always informa parent or another trusted adult where you will beat all times. Your study area does not have to begood wildlife habitat right at this time; your areacould be a vacant lot, a park, a backyard, or even aschoolyard!

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

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Chapter 1 PENNSYLVANIA HABITATS

WHY STUDY HABITAT?Directly changing wildlife populations is difficult.For example, if we want to increase the number ofbluebirds in an area, we can’t just force femalebluebirds to produce more nestlings. And if we wantto decrease the number of black bears in an area, wecan’t just prevent them from having cubs.

This book focuses on the study and managementof habitat. Remember that an animal’s habitat is thearea that provides all of the life requirements forthat animal. Wildlife populations usually increase ordecrease based on changes in the quality of thehabitat they rely on for their survival. For thatreason, the most effective way to manage wildlifepopulations is to manage wildlife habitat.

AN OVERVIEW OF PENNSYLVANIA HABITATSPennsylvania is home to a rich diversity of fish andwildlife because it has many different habitat types.There are six major habitat types in Pennsylvania.

ForestPennsylvania is 57 percent deciduous forest habitat(17 million acres). This is the most common habitattype in the state. Trees are the dominant life form ina forest, and deciduous trees are those that lose theirleaves each fall. Our most common trees are chest-nut oak, red oak, white oak, black cherry, white ash,American beech, red maple, sugar maple, blackbirch, black gum, and tulip poplar. Evergreens suchas hemlock and pine are also distributed widely inPennsylvania’s forests.

Beneath the forest canopy are understory plantsthat thrive in shade. Common understory plantsinclude mountain laurel, viburnums, dogwood,redbud, sassafras, striped maple, spicebush, ferns,and many types of wildflowers. Large tracts offorest provide habitat for wildlife species that areforest specialists, such as the scarlet tanager andwood thrush.

FOREST HABITAT

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FieldField habitat offers a variety of grasses interspersedwith wildflowers, shrubs, and herbs. Plants found inthis habitat thrive in direct sunlight. In Pennsylva-nia, field habitats are most often found in agricul-tural areas in the form of hay fields and pastures.Field habitats also occur in strip-mined areas whengrasses are planted after mining is complete. Fieldsprovide habitat for early successional wildlifespecies, such as chipping sparrows, goldfinches,pheasants, meadowlarks, meadow voles, meadowjumping mice, and woodchucks.

WetlandsWetlands are areas that are regularly wet or flooded.There are many different types of wetland habitats,such as forested wetlands, swamps, bogs, ponds, and

marshes. Some wetlandsare flooded all year round,while others are flooded

only seasonally. Seasonalwetlands are especially

important as breed-ing habitat for

salamanders,toads, and otheramphibians.Permanentwetlands may

be home tored-winged blackbirds,

ducks, muskrats, beavers, sala-manders, turtles, and a variety of

other reptiles and amphibians.

Streams and RiversOpen and moving waterways and their grassy orbrushy edges provide important wildlife habitats. Thegrassy, brushy, or forested edges bordering streamsand rivers are known as “riparian zones.” Riparianzones often serve as wildlife corridors for animalsmoving through an area. Streams and rivers are hometo otters, mink, tree swallows, Louisiana water-thrushes, and many fish, reptiles, and amphibians.

WETLANDHABITAT

BACKYARDS ANDNEIGHBORHOOD HABITAT

STREAM AND RIPARIAN HABITAT

NeighborhoodsThere are many different types of neighborhoods;some have many buildings with little or no yardswhile others have few buildings surrounded by largelawns. Wildlife can be found in all types of neigh-borhoods. Species such as pigeons, house finches,house sparrows, robins, starlings, cardinals, chicka-dees, juncos, and titmice can all be found in humanneighborhoods. Raccoons, skunks, opossums, mice,and chipmunks can also be found in this habitat.

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FACTORS AFFECTING HABITAT SUITABILITY

Plant SuccessionPlant succession is the process of one plant commu-nity replacing another over time. This is one of themost important factors affecting habitat suitabilitybecause plants provide both food and cover forwildlife. In general, the stages of plant successionin Pennsylvania include: bare ground followed byforbs and grasses, then shrubs, which are slowlyreplaced by trees.

Some species and wildlife communities rely onearly stages of plant succession. Once the habitatgrows into the next stage, the area is no longersuitable for them. These are called “early succes-sional” species. Likewise, “late successional”species rely on mature woodlands for their survivaland will not thrive if the woodland is heavilyharvested or cleared.

Vertical StructureVertical structure refers to how plants are layered inan area. To understand layering, just think of howtall plants get. Grasses and forbs usually grow closeto the ground and make up the ground layer. Thenext highest level is usually comprised of shrubsand is called the shrub layer. The branches and topsof mature trees make the tallest layer. This is calledthe canopy layer.

HABITAT SUITABILITYThe amount and type of food,

water, shelter, and space in anarea determines that area’shabitat suitability for aparticular species. In orderfor an animal to live in anarea, the right kinds offood, water, and sheltermust be present and mustbe available at the right

time of year.A habitat that is suitable for one species may be

unsuitable for another. The forest is an excellenthabitat for the gray squirrel, but the tall trees of theforest do not make a good habitat for muskrats andred-winged blackbirds. These species require open,grassy wetlands for their foodand shelter.

The following sectionprovides a brief review ofthe most important factorsthat affect habitat suitability.For a more detailed explana-tion of habitat suitabilitycharacteristics, see ProjectBook 1.

RED-WINGEDBLACKBIRD

PLANT SUCCESSIONIN AN OLD FIELD

GRAY SQUIRREL

5

How these different layers are arranged in anarea is important to wildlife. Some animals mayrequire a grassy ground layer for food but also needa tree canopy for cover. In general, the more layersin a habitat, the better the area is for wildlife.Although humans often like to see a “clean” forestof tall trees with little underbrush, these park-likesettings are not very good for wildlife.

EdgeEdge is the boundary where different types ofvegetation meet. An edge also occurs where differ-ent habitat types meet, such as field and forest.Edges attract many wildlife species because differ-ent types of food and cover are close together. Edgeis not good for all wildlife. Some species needlarge, continuous patches of grassland for theirsurvival, while others need large continuous tractsof forest.

An area’s habitat suitability is also influenced byhow the habitat is put together. Factors describinghow a habitat is put together include the intersper-sion of resources, fragmentation of habitats, andcorridors between habitats.

VERTICAL STRUCTURE INFOREST HABITAT

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InterspersionWildlife often needsmore than one type of cover in an area.For example, a rabbit will feed in grassy areas butalso needs to have thick shrubs nearby for protec-tion from predators. Interspersion refers to themix of habitat types or successional stages from abird’s-eye view. Interspersion can also be thoughtof as habitat patchiness.

Usually, a habitat with high interspersion sup-ports more species than an area with low intersper-sion. Remember, though, that some species obtainall their habitat requirements from one successionalstage. Interspersion would lower the habitat suitabil-ity of an area for these species.

CorridorsCorridors are areas of secure coverthat permit animals to travel from onepatch of suitable habitat to another. Infragmented habitats, corridors canconnect small islands of good habitatwith one another, allowing animals touse an area that they otherwise couldnot. Preserving, creating, and main-taining unbroken corridors are veryimportant in wildlife management.

FragmentationWhen roads, suburban areas, or agricultural areasbreak up large blocks of natural habitat, such asforest, that habitat is fragmented. Fragmentedhabitats often do not provide enough food, water,cover, or secure nest sites for wildlife species tosurvive in the area.

HABITAT INTERSPERSION ORPATCHINESS IS HIGH AT THIS SITE.

CORRIDORS PROVIDETRAVEL LANES FOR

WILDLIFE.

7

WILDLIFE CAREER: Food and CoverTechnician

Food and cover technicians work for state andfederal wildlife agencies to carry out habitatmanagement practices on public lands. Theseindividuals do the hands-on work that isinvolved in creating wildlife food and cover.Their work may include mowing hay fields,brush-hogging shrubs, planting food crops,planting cover plants such as trees and shrubs,and cutting down trees to create forestopenings. No formal education is requiredbeyond high school, but technicians must bemechanically skilled and trained to operateheavy equipment and machinery.

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Field Work!

Activity 1—Habitat SurveyPURPOSE: This activity will help you recognize howdifferent habitats are home to different species.

1. Visit two different Pennsylvania habitats (forexample, a suburban neighborhood and a forest).

2. For each habitat type visited, complete a HabitatEvaluation Worksheet (two are provide on thefollowing pages). The appendix in The WildlifeEcologist (Book 1) gives habitat requirementsfor a variety of Pennsylvania wildlife species.You can also look them up in a field guide or areference book on Pennsylvania wildlife.

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Worksheet 1 for Activity 1

HABITAT EVALUATION

NAME _____________________________________ LOCATION ________________________________

DATE _____________________________________ WEATHER _________________________________

I. General Description of HabitatA. Habitat type (circle all that apply):

Forest, Woods River Vacant Town or City Lot

Farmland Pond Urban Neighborhood

Agricultural Field Stream Rural Neighborhood

Field, Pasture Wetland Suburban Neighborhood

Lake Mowed Lawn Park

School

B. Briefly describe the habitat:

II. FoodSoft and hard mast—soft mast includes soft fleshy fruits like those produced by grapes, crabapples,dogwoods, viburnums, and elderberries. Hard mast refers to nuts and includes walnuts, hickory nuts,and acorns.

A. Abundance of plants that produce soft mast (circle one phrase):

None or Isolated Scattered Abundant Available oververy rare individuals small patches in patches most of site

B. Abundance of trees that produce hard mast (circle one phrase):

None or Isolated Scattered Abundant Available oververy rare individuals small patches in patches most of site

C. List other sources of food available on site (for example, bird feeders and crops in agricultural fields):

9

III. Cover

A. List potential sources of cover and shelter for:

Breeding/nesting

Protecton

Resting

B. Cavity trees

In Pennsylvania, 35 species of birds and 20 species of mammals use tree cavities. The most importantcavity trees are ones with large openings. Small cavities are also important, but they are generallymore abundant.

Walk through your site and record the number of hollow trees, the number of trees with largecavities (big enough for a raccoon), and the number of trees with small cavities (big enough for asmall bird). Record any animals you see using these cavities or going in and out of them.

Hollow trees # _ _ _ _ _ _ Animals:

Large cavities # _ _ _ _ _ Animals:

Small cavities # _ _ _ _ _ Animals:

C. Evergreens

Evergreen cover from both trees and shrubs is extremely important to wintering wildlife and is rare inPennsylvania woods.

Record the abundance of evergreen tree cover (circle one phrase):

None or Isolated Scattered Abundant Available oververy rare individuals small patches in patches most of site

Record the abundance of evergreen shrub cover (circle one phrase):

None or Isolated Scattered Abundant Available oververy rare individuals small patches in patches most of site

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IV. WaterA. List the water sources present:

TYPE OF WATER SOURCE PRESENT COMMENTS (for example, size and wildlife observations)

Lakes or ponds ______ _________________________________________________

Wetlands ______ _________________________________________________

Permanent streams ______ _________________________________________________

Temporary streams (flow ______ _________________________________________________during part of the year)

Spring seeps ______ _________________________________________________

Vernal ponds (ponds that ______ _________________________________________________hold water in spring only)

B. List other sources of water available to wildlife (such as a birdbath):

V. WildlifeA. Based on this habitat evaluation, what species of wildlife do you think could live here?

B. Note all wildlife and signs of wildlife seen or heard on the site (continue on next page if needed):

11

C. For the following wildlife species, or group of species, evaluate the habitat quality on a scale of1 = poor (the species would have a difficult time surviving there) to 4 = excellent (habitat providesneeded food, water, cover, and space). Explain why you gave the score you did. For example, youmight say you gave a high score because food, water, and cover were present. Use the appendix inBook 1 or another book on Pennsylvania wildlife to learn about habitat requirements of these species.

SPECIES OR HABITAT QUALITYGROUP OF SPECIES ASSESSMENT SCORE EXPLANATION FOR SCORE

White-tailed deer __________ ___________________________________________

Eastern cottontail __________ ___________________________________________

Eastern gray squirrel __________ ___________________________________________

Eastern bluebird __________ ___________________________________________

Mourning dove __________ ___________________________________________

Ovenbird __________ ___________________________________________

Wood duck __________ ___________________________________________

Wetland-dependent species __________ ____________________________________________

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Worksheet 2 for Activity 1

HABITAT EVALUATION

NAME _____________________________________ LOCATION ________________________________

DATE _____________________________________ WEATHER _________________________________

I. General Description of HabitatA. Habitat type (circle all that apply):

Forest, Woods River Vacant Town or City Lot

Farmland Pond Urban Neighborhood

Agricultural Field Stream Rural Neighborhood

Field, Pasture Wetland Suburban Neighborhood

Lake Mowed Lawn Park

School

B. Briefly describe the habitat:

II. FoodSoft and hard mast—soft mast includes soft fleshy fruits like those produced by grapes, crabapples,dogwoods, viburnums, and elderberries. Hard mast refers to nuts and includes walnuts, hickory nuts,and acorns.

A. Abundance of plants that produce soft mast (circle one phrase):

None or Isolated Scattered Abundant Available oververy rare individuals small patches in patches most of site

B. Abundance of trees that produce hard mast (circle one phrase):

None or Isolated Scattered Abundant Available oververy rare individuals small patches in patches most of site

C. List other sources of food available on site (for example, bird feeders and crops in agricultural fields):

13

III. Cover

A. List potential sources of cover and shelter for:

Breeding/nesting

Protecton

Resting

B. Cavity trees

In Pennsylvania, 35 species of birds and 20 species of mammals use tree cavities. The most importantcavity trees are ones with large openings. Small cavities are also important, but they are generallymore abundant.

Walk through your site and record the number of hollow trees, the number of trees with largecavities (big enough for a raccoon), and the number of trees with small cavities (big enough for asmall bird). Record any animals you see using these cavities or going in and out of them.

Hollow trees # _ _ _ _ _ _ Animals:

Large cavities # _ _ _ _ _ Animals:

Small cavities # _ _ _ _ _ Animals:

C. Evergreens

Evergreen cover from both trees and shrubs is extremely important to wintering wildlife and is rare inPennsylvania woods.

Record the abundance of evergreen tree cover (circle one phrase):

None or Isolated Scattered Abundant Available oververy rare individuals small patches in patches most of site

Record the abundance of evergreen shrub cover (circle one phrase):

None or Isolated Scattered Abundant Available oververy rare individuals small patches in patches most of site

14

IV. WaterA. List the water sources present:

TYPE OF WATER SOURCE PRESENT COMMENTS (for example, size and wildlife observations)

Lakes or ponds ______ _________________________________________________

Wetlands ______ _________________________________________________

Permanent streams ______ _________________________________________________

Temporary streams (flow ______ _________________________________________________during part of the year)

Spring seeps ______ _________________________________________________

Vernal ponds (ponds that ______ _________________________________________________hold water in spring only)

B. List other sources of water available to wildlife (such as a birdbath):

V. WildlifeA. Based on this habitat evaluation, what species of wildlife do you think could live here?

B. Note all wildlife and signs of wildlife seen or heard on the site (continue on next page if needed):

15

C. For the following wildlife species, or group of species, evaluate the habitat quality on a scale of1 = poor (the species would have a difficult time surviving there) to 4 = excellent (habitat providesneeded food, water, cover, and space). Explain why you gave the score you did. For example, youmight say you gave a high score because food, water, and cover were present. Use the appendix inBook 1 or another book on Pennsylvania wildlife to learn about habitat requirements of these species.

SPECIES OR HABITAT QUALITYGROUP OF SPECIES ASSESSMENT SCORE EXPLANATION FOR SCORE

White-tailed deer __________ ___________________________________________

Eastern cottontail __________ ___________________________________________

Eastern gray squirrel __________ ___________________________________________

Eastern bluebird __________ ___________________________________________

Mourning dove __________ ___________________________________________

Ovenbird __________ ___________________________________________

Wood duck __________ ___________________________________________

Wetland-dependent species __________ ____________________________________________

16

Chapter 2 INTRODUCTION TOHABITAT MANAGEMENTAnytime we work to change wildlife populations inan area by changing the amount of food, water,shelter, or space, we are involved in habitat manage-ment. By providing additional food, water, andcover, we can increase the population of a desiredspecies. By reducing the amount of food, water, andcover we can decrease population size.

IDENTIFYING MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVESBefore beginning habitat management, you mustdecide what your objectives are. In some cases,habitat managers are interested in managing foronly one or a few species. This is referred to asmanaging for featured species. A wildlife managerinterested in improving hunting opportunities in anarea may focus on deer, bear, or turkey as featuredspecies.

In other cases, a manager may be interested inincreasing the total number of species or speciesdiversity in an area. A manager wishing to increasethe species diversity of an area would want toprovide habitat for as many different wildlifespecies as possible.

Still another wildlife manager might be interestedin managing for human–wildlife interactions, suchas at a wildlife viewing area. This manager wouldidentify the species to be attracted, then try to createthe appropriate habitat conditions so that peoplecould observe the animals in their habitat.

PLANNING HABITAT MANAGEMENTOnce you decide on your management objectives,you must identify habitat requirements of thespecies you want to manage for and decide whetherthe area is capable of providing these requirements.Remembering that when we improve an area forone species, we may be making it less desirablefor another is important. Managing for a diversityof species often requires a delicate balance ofmanagement practices.

WHITE-TAILEDDEER

17

There is a limit to how many animals can live ina habitat. The number of animals that a habitat cansupport is that habitat’s carrying capacity. Theamount of food, water, cover, and space in an areadetermines the area’s carrying capacity. If one basicrequirement is in short supply, the carrying capacityis lowered. By adding the missing ingredient,wildlife managers can increase the number ofanimals a habitat can support.

The basic steps of habitat management aresimple: 1) identify the requirement that is limitingthe number of animals in an area, and then 2) pro-vide the missing resource. It is usually best to selectmanagement practices that increase the resourcesthat are in shortest supply. For instance, if a speciesrequires trees for cover with water nearby, and yourstudy area has plenty of trees but no water, startingwith a management practice that provides water willbe more useful than planting more trees.

In general, wildlife habitat management prac-tices involve increasing the food, water, shelter, orspace available to wildlife in an area. Of course, insituations where wildlife are causing problems, youwould work to decrease the availability of resourcesto decrease the wildlife population. Either way, youare changing the wildlife population in an area bychanging the carrying capacity of the habitat.

There are so many species of fish andwildlife in Pennsylvania that we cannot

manage each one on its own. Habitat manage-ment is the only way to manage for the diversearray of species that occur in our state.

Number of native species in Pennsylvania

Birds: 394(186 of these speciesbreed in Pennsylvania)

Mammals: 63

Fish: 194

Reptiles/Amphibians: 73

AN OVERVIEWOF HABITATMANAGEMENTPRACTICESWe can managehabitats through bothnatural and artificialmeans. Providing a bird feeder full of sunflowerseeds creates an artificial food source. Plantingberry bushes and sunflowers creates a natural foodsource. Changing habitat conditions in a naturalway is often better for wildlife over the long termbecause it doesn’t require humans to maintain theimprovements.

Habitat management involves changing theamount of food, water, or shelter available to wild-life in an area. In this section, we will learn how toprovide additional resources to wildlife. Of course,if we were interested in reducing wildlife popula-tions, we would focus on eliminating resources.

Provide FoodAnimals need to get enough food from naturalsources to survive. If there weren’t enough naturalfoods in your area, you wouldn’t have wildlife at all.Human sources of food like bird feeders do notreplace natural sources. Even the chickadees thatvisit a bird feeder everyday are getting only a smallpart of their daily diet from the feeder. Most of thefood they eat comes from natural food sources.

AMERICANROBIN

WILDLIFE CAREER: Naturalist

A naturalist is a professional or hobbyist whohas taken the time to become very familiar withthe species and habitats surrounding them.

Naturalists often work as environmentaleducators in nature centers and state parks.They are skilled at conveying their love of theoutdoors and their knowledge of wild plantsand animals to audiences of children andadults.

No special degree is required to be anaturalist, just a love of nature, skill in talkingto audiences, and a desire to teach. Somecolleges offer courses and degrees in environ-mental education that help students becomeeffective educators.

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Still, you can improve habitat by providingadditional food sources for wildlife. You can providenatural food sources for wildlife by planting flowers,shrubs, and trees. Some plants provide food, someprovide cover, and some provide both food andcover. In a wild area, such as a large forest tract, wegenerally do not try to plant food sources. Instead,we use forest management techniques that encour-age food plants to grow naturally. For example, youmight remove some overstory trees to let in light andencourage berry-producing shrubs to grow.

Installing wildlife feeders is an excellent way toattract animals to an area so that you can enjoywatching and studying them. Wildlife feeders areconsidered “artificial” food sources because humansmust keep the feeders full. Bird feeders are the mostcommon type of wildlife feeder. In some areas,you could attract other animals with feeders. Somepeople who live near forests use feeders full of cornto attract turkeys and deer. While this makes ani-mals easier to watch, it can also cause problems forthem if diseases get spread at feeders or if feederscause them to lose their fear of humans. Therefore,providing feeders for animals other than birds is notrecommended.

Provide WaterAll living things need water. Some wildlife speciesget all the water they need from the foods they eat;others need to drink water. Providing a steadysupply of water is one of the most effective habitatpractices you can undertake. In most of Pennsyl-vania’s habitats, water is usually plentiful. Providinga water supply can be a very useful managementpractice in neighborhood habitats.

Provide ShelterAll wild animals need shelter to raise their youngand hide from predators. Types of wildlife shelterthat can be used in any Pennsylvaniahabitat are described below:

• Cover plants may provide bothfood and protection for wildlife.Good cover is very importantin winter. Thermal coveris shelter that protectsanimals from theworst winds and coldof winter. Evergreensprovide excellentthermal cover.Birds roostin theirbranchesand manymammalswill huddleunder them to stay warm. Evergreens planted ingroups or clumps provide better cover than ever-greens planted in a row. Small mammals and birdswill also use grassy and brushy cover low to theground. Warm-season grasses make very goodwinter cover for birds and mammals.

THERMALCOVER

AMPHIBIANS LIKE THE SPRING PEEPERREQUIRE WATER FOR PART OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE.

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• Cover structures are used by many animals forresting and escape cover. Wildlife cover can be

created just by piling brush or rocksinto a heap so that animals can rest

and hide under the piles. Coverstructures can be very simple—dead and downed trees and tree

branches are used by avariety of wildlife.

Salamandersand variousinsects usefallen logs forcover, smallmammals use

them as runways for protection while they travel,and predators use them as hunting areas.

Provide Sites for Raising YoungAll animals need safe and secure sites to raise theiryoung. Dense thickets provide protection for youngfawns and nest sites for birdssuch as cardinals and easterntowhees. A number of animalsnest or raise their youngwithin cavities in trees. As amanager, you will want toidentify important areas fornesting and rearing young andtry to protect or even enhancethem. In areas where treecavities may be in short supply,managers often provide boxesas substitute cavities.

ConclusionAs you can see, there are manyways to manage habitat for wild-life. Though the techniquesmay seem confusing at first, just

remember thatthey all have

the same basic goal: toimprove the habitat forwildlife by providingplenty of food, water,shelter, and nest sites.

Hunting and Trapping?

Human beings once relied on hunting andtrapping for survival. Now, these traditionsare considered outdoor sports in many partsof the world, including Pennsylvania. Buthunting and trapping are also importantwildlife management tools. In some cases,hunting and trapping can help reduce thedamage that wildlife cause to farm crops,forest plants and trees, and plants nearpeople’s homes. They also help to keepwildlife populations at balanced and healthylevels, especially where large predators mayno longer exist. Hunting and trapping areimportant in protecting wildlife habitat aswell. Do you see the connection?

DOWNED WOOD

BIRDHOUSEWITH

PREDATORSHIELD

RUFFED GROUSE

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Field Work!

Activity 2—Identify Resources in Your Study AreaBe sure to include cover such as rock piles,birdhouses, and thick vegetation.

5. Now sit quietly and observe wildlife. You willneed to sit very still for at least one hour. Youmay want to do this at several different times ofthe day. Early morning is an especially goodtime for wildlife observation. Do you see mam-mals, birds, and insects? What are they doing?If any are feeding, drinking, or making use ofcover, make a note of this on your map.

What factors do you think may be limiting wildlifepopulations in this area? What seems to be short-est in supply: food, water, cover, or space?

SAMPLE DRAWING OF HABITAT

PURPOSE: This activity will help you look criticallyat your study area and assess its habitat value forwildlife. Select an area that is safe for you to visitand let an adult know where you are at all times.

1. Make a rough map of your study area on thefollowing page.

2. Identify all sources of food you can find. Marktheir locations on your map. Note if you find anyevidence of wildlife feeding.

3. Mark sources of water on your map and labelthem.

4. Look for areas that animals might use as nesting,resting, or escape cover. Mark them on your map.

GRASS

R

O

A

D

S

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Rough Map of Your Study Area

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Chapter 3 MANAGINGNEIGHBORHOOD HABITATSThere are many different types of neighborhoods:some have many buildings with little or no yards(such as in cities), others have a few buildingssurrounded by large yards (such as suburban areas).We often refer to the many types of neighborhoodhabitats as “backyard habitat.” This is just a simpleway of describing the same general type of habitatin different locations.

“Backyard habitat” may actually occur behind ahouse, but it can also be found in the vacant lot neara home, in a city park, in a neighbor’s yard,or in a schoolyard. This habitat occursanywhere that humans and wildanimals live in close proximity.Animals are considered to be usingthis habitat anytime they rely on

humans or human environ-ments for some portion

of their food, water, shelter, orspace. You don’t have to owna backyard in order to studybackyard habitat!

Many species ofwildlife have adapted to

living near humansand human environ-ments. Species suchas pigeons, housefinches, house

sparrows,robins,starlings,cardinals,chickadees,juncos, andtitmice canall be found

in humanneighborhoods.

Raccoons, skunks,opossums, mice, and

chipmunks can also befound in this habitat.

RUBY-THROATEDHUMMINGBIRD

HABITAT CONDITIONS INNEIGHBORHOODS CANVARY GREATLY.

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These animals have the same habitat needs asthe animals living in more natural areas (food,water, shelter, and space) and face the same stressesin their daily lives, such as getting enough food andwater, raising their young, avoiding predators, andfinding mates. But the animals living in backyardhabitats face other stresses that their forest-dwellingrelatives never encounter—things like crossingroads without being killed, avoiding flying intowindows or falling into window wells, and livingside-by-side with domestic cats and dogs.

CHARACTERISTICS OFNEIGHBORHOOD HABITATSNeighborhood habitats are a mixture of opposites.They often contain both native and non-nativeplants, a mix of intensely managed areas (lawns andflower beds), and less intensely managed areas(wooded areas, meadows, and shrubby areas such ashedgerows and borders). This habitat also contains amixture of artificial food sources (bird feeders,garbage cans, cat and dog food left outside) andnatural food sources (berry bushes, flowers, fruitand nut trees).

Few species rely entirely on backyards for all oftheir life needs. A raccoon may visit a backyardhabitat to snack on leftover chicken bones in thegarbage can, then retreat to his home in the neigh-boring forest. A bat may swoop and chase afterinsects in your backyard in the summer, then spendthe winter months hibernating in a cave hundreds ofmiles away! Even small species such as toads andsalamanders probably leave your backyard to find awatery pool when it comes time to breed.

There are many habitat management practicesyou can use to improve the habitat quality of yourbackyard and increase your chances of seeingwildlife. But as any habitat manager, before youbegin changing an area, you must have a good ideaof who lives there and what they need to survive.Appendix 1 describes some of the species you canexpect to show up in a backyard habitat and givessome information on what they need to live.

PEOPLE USE AND MODIFY BACKYARD HABITATS.

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HABITAT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FORNEIGHBORHOOD HABITATSThe following management practices are ones thatare commonly used in backyard and neighborhoodhabitats.

Plant Trees and ShrubsProviding natural sources of food and cover is aneasy way to improve wildlife habitat. Many goodwildlife food and cover plants can be purchased atyour local nursery or garden supply store. Whenpossible, try to buy plants native to your area.Pennsylvania wildlife have adapted to using Penn-sylvania plant species. While some wildlife canbenefit from introduced plant varieties, you will getthe most wildlife benefit from native Pennsylvaniaplants.

Examples of the types of plants that can be usedand the benefits they provide to wildlife are listed inthe box to the right.

Wildlife benefits of common plants.

Plant type Examples Wildlife Benefits

Evergreens, white pine • winter cover forconifers eastern hemlock songbirds, deer, and

rhododendron other wildlifered cedar • nest sites for mourningcommon juniper doves and manyazalea other birds

• food for red squirrelsand many songbirds

Nut trees oak • food for blue jays,hickory chipmunks, squirrels,beech deer, wild turkeys,walnut bears, and many other

species

Fruiting trees, black cherry • food for gray catbird,shrubs, and elderberry fox, deer, wild turkey,vines blackberry bear

dogwood • nesting site forwild grape cardinals and manyJuneberry other songbirds

TREES AND SHRUBS PROVIDEFOOD, SHELTER, AND COVER.

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Plant FlowersPlanting flowers is a great way to attract bothhummingbirds and butterflies. Depending on theplant, the flowers will be a source of nectar for thehummingbirds and butterflies and may also be afood source for caterpillars. The flowers mostattractive to hummingbirds are red, orange, or pinkand are tubular in shape. Butterflies prefer purple,red, yellow, orange, or pink blossoms; flat-topped orclustered flowers; and short flower tubes. Selectplants that flower at different times so you haveflowers from May through September. Humming-birds and butterflies are attracted to large clusters offlowers, so group the plantings to make them morenoticeable.

Provide Bird FeedersArtificial food sources, such as birdfeeders, attract wildlife to an areafor purposes of viewing and study.Though bird feeders cannotreplace natural food supplies,they may help individual animalssurvive during severe conditions.The use of feeders is not recom-mended for animals other thansongbirds.

You can attract different birds toyour study area by offering differenttypes of food in different types offeeders. Some birds have strongpreferences for where and whatthey eat, while others are lesspicky and will come to a variety offoods and feeders. The table on next pagedescribes the most common birds and seedand feeder preferences.

Examples of flowers that attracthummingbirds and butterflies

Bergamot, bee balm Jewelweed

Black-eyed susan Lantana

Bleeding heart Liatris

Butterfly weed Milkweed

Butterfly bush Nasturtium

Cardinal flower Purple coneflower

Columbine Scarlet sage

Cosmos Trumpet creeper

Coral bells Verbena

Impatiens ZinniaFLOWERSATTRACT

BUTTERFLIES.

HONEYSUCKLE

BIRD FEEDERS ATTRACT AVARIETY OF BIRDS.

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Species Food and Feeder Preferences

SPECIES FOOD PREFERENCE FEEDER PREFERENCE

Mourning dove Cracked corn, millet, sunflower seeds Ground, low tray

Red-bellied woodpecker Suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts Suet feeder, hanging feeder

Downy and hairy woodpeckers Suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts Suet feeder, hanging feeder

Blue jay Sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts Platform feeders

Black-capped chickadee Sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts Almost all feeders

Tufted titmouse Sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts Hanging feeders, suet feeders

White-breasted nuthatch Sunflower seeds, suet Almost all feeders

Carolina wren Peanut butter, suet Hanging suet feeder

White-throated sparrow Sunflower seeds, millet Ground, low tray

Song sparrow Sunflower seeds, millet Ground, low tray

Dark-eyed junco Sunflower seeds, millet Ground, low tray

Northern cardinal Sunflower seeds Ground, low tray, tube feeder with tray

Purple finch Niger, sunflower seeds, millet Niger hanging tube feeder

House finch Niger, sunflower seeds, millet Niger hanging feeder, ground

American goldfinch Niger, sunflower seeds Niger feeder, hanging tube feeder, ground

House sparrow Millet, sunflower seeds Tray, platform, tube feeder with tray

Bird feeders can be made at home with things youalready have. You can make a simple suet feeder byhanging a chunk of beef fat in a plastic mesh onionbag. Setting an old cookie tray or cake pan on astump or cinder block and filling the pan with seedcan make a platform feeder. If you fill your traywith raisins, peanuts, and earthworms, many differ-ent birds will come! A peanut feeder can be madein the winter by spreading peanut butter on a pinecone, then rolling the gooey pine cone in bird-seed—or just by spreading peanut butter on a pieceof log and hanging it in a tree.

Provide WaterProviding a water source in the neighborhoodhabitat can be as simple as setting out a shallow panof water with a rock in the middle for birds andinsects to land on or as elaborate as creating a pond.

Any clean shallow container can be used as awildlife water source. Remember to keep it clean,since animals will be using the water for bothdrinking and bathing. Wash it out every 3 to 5 daysand it will draw birds, squirrels, toads, butterflies,and chipmunks.

Water dishes set right on the ground attract themost wildlife. Toads, insects, and chipmunks willall make use of a water dish set on the ground insome protective vegetation. A water dish set on apost will attract many species of birds, especiallyif you place it near food sources or escape cover.

BIRDBATHS ATTRACTSOME “UNUSUAL” SPECIES.

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You can also create fountains and pools forwildlife. Most garden supply stores carry everythingneeded to create a small backyard pool. These areuseful because birds are very attracted to water thatis misting, dripping, flowing, or splashing.

If you have a natural water supply, such as asmall stream or wet area, you can create an excel-lent wildlife habitat just by planting some wildlife-friendly plants around the water’s edge.

Many people forget that wildlife need water inthe winter. In fact, they need it even more in thewinter than in summer because most of their naturalwater sources are frozen. You can continue toprovide water in the winter by using a heating coilto keep the water warm.

Create Brush Piles/Rock PilesProviding shelter is especiallyimportant in neighborhoodhabitats. Many back-yards lack wildlifeshelter becausehumans prefer a “neat”appearance. Homeowners are quickto rake up grass clippings and autumn leavesand clear away brush. Fortunately, we can providewildlife shelter and still have a tidy backyard.

Brush piles are treetops, branches, brush, or logsthat are piled up to provide resting/escape cover andden sites for wildlife. Eastern cottontails and othersmall mammals, snakes, amphibians, and manyinsects use brush piles. Songbirds may also usebrush piles for perch sites, especially if the piles arelocated near feeding or nest sites.

The best brush piles are made by placing largematerials (logs) at the bottom and smaller materials(small branches) at the top. Lay the bottom logs onthe ground with about 12 inches between them tocreate runways for animals scurrying under the pile.Then pile another row of logs on top of the bottomrow, with the runways going in the other direction.

Top the log layers off withseveral feet of small

branches and brush.For best results abrush pile shouldbe 3 to 5 feethigh and 15 feetacross.

Brush piles are most beneficial when placednear food sources and in places where low cover isabsent. Forest openings, forest edges, large lawnareas, or fields are good places to build brush piles.Then wildlife can feed in the open area or along theforest edge and use the brush pile for cover if theyneed to make a quick getaway.

Rock piles can be made similar to brush piles,with larger rocks (with gaps between them) on thebottom layers and smaller rocks at the top. These arefavorite basking spots for lizards and snakes andwill be used as lookout perches by many songbirds.They may also provide hibernation sites for insects.

Provide Nest Boxes and StructuresBirds and other animals need safe and secure placesto nest. Providing nest boxes and structures withinyour site is a great way to provide extra nesting sites.Nest boxes, platforms, and other types of structuresprovide nest sites for wildlife in areas where naturalnest sites are limited or absent. In Pennsylvania, nestboxes or “birdhouses” are commonly used to providenest sites for bluebirds, tree swallows, and wrens.Mourning doves, eastern phoebes, barn swallows,owls, ducks, and geese also use nest boxes, plat-forms, and other structures. Even some mammalswill use nest boxes. Big brown and little brown batswill use specially designed bat boxes. Gray squirrelsand flying squirrels will use nest boxes designed forthem, and many mice have been born in abandonedbirdhouses!

The types of nest boxes you can provide for yourwildlife neighbors are limited only by your imagina-tion. “Woodcrafting for Wildlife,” a booklet avail-able from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, hasbuilding plans for many different nest structures(see Appendix 2).

ROCKPILE

BRUSHPILE

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Limit Lawn SpaceAlthough many people enjoy the sight of a well-keptlawn, these areas are not very useful to wildlife.Some lawns, which are heavily treated with fertiliz-ers, herbicides, and pesticides, actually become“green deserts” where few wild things can survive.

Devoting less of your property to lawn can savetime and money while improving the area forwildlife. You can eliminate lawn areas and still keepyour yard looking good by substituting flowerbeds,vegetable beds, shrubby areas, and ponds or pools.All of these substitutions make better habitat forwildlife than an open lawn because they provideincreased food, cover, or water.

Keep Cats IndoorsIt has been estimated that domestic cats in theUnited States kill four billion songbirds and smallmammals each year. Even the most well-fed housecats have a hunter’s instinct that will lead them tokill even when they are not hungry. The cats’ ownersare often completely unawareof their pets’ predatoryhabits. Keeping cats indoorscan dramatically improveyour backyard’s quality forbirds and small mammals,particularly during thenesting season.

KEEP CATS INDOORS ANDAWAY FROM WILDLIFE.

Reduce Chemical UseProper use and reduction of the chemicals used onlawns and yards can make these areas safer forwildlife, people, and pets. Amphibians, in particular,are susceptible to lawn care chemicals, and specialcare should be taken when using these chemicalsnear wet areas of the lawn. Follow manufacturers’instructions exactly when applying chemicals toyour lawn. Using natural fertilizers and pest controltechniques will enable you to limit chemical use.

Maintain/Enhance Riparian BuffersIt is important to maintain wooded corridors alongflowing streams and other water sources. Nearly allspecies of wildlife and birds will make use of theseprotected corridors. In addition to providing foodand cover, these buffers help shade the stream, thuskeeping it cool for the aquatic life living within.Riparian buffers can be composed of shrubs, trees,or a mix of both. As a general rule, the wider thebuffer, the more valuable it is for wildlife.

MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF LAWN.

Maintain or Create CorridorsCorridors are areas of continuous habitat that permitanimals to travel from one block of habitat toanother. These can be particularly important inurban and suburban areas where roads, parking lots,and houses break up the habitat.

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WILDLIFE DAMAGE MANAGEMENTIn some situations, wildlife and people may comeinto conflict and some type of damage managementmay be needed. Wildlife damage managementincludes practices that make the habitat less suitablefor a species—fencing or other means of excludinga problem species or, in some cases, trapping andremoving a problem species. For example, inyour management plan, you might suggest fencinga garden to keep rabbits out. This would be anexample of wildlife damage management.

LIVE TRAP

Practices Summary List

Here is a summary of the habitat managementpractices appropriate for backyard, park, orschoolyard:

• Plant trees and shrubs

• Plant flowers

• Provide bird feeders

• Provide water

• Create brush piles/rock piles

• Provide nest boxes/structures

• Limit lawn space

• Reduce chemical use

• Maintain/enhance riparian buffers

• Keep cats indoors

• Maintain or create corridors

• Wildlife damage management

See Appendix 1 for examples of wildlife commonlyfound in backyards along with a table of habitat

management practices.

WILDLIFE CAREER: Conservation Officers

Wildlife conservation officers and waterways

conservation officers work for fish and

wildlife agencies. Both are called WCOs, and

they are sometimes referred to as “game

wardens” or “fish wardens.” Conservation

officers work hard to protect fish and wildlife.

Conservation officers investigate illegal

shooting and collecting of wildlife, hunting

and boating accidents, pollution, and habitat

destruction. Conservation officers also

present education programs to sportsmen’s

organizations, citizen groups, and school

children. A college degree is not required, but

conservation officers undergo extensive

training in natural resource management and

law enforcement.

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Field Work!

Activity 3—HabitatManagement

PURPOSE: Your answers to the questions in thisactivity will help you begin to think about how toimprove your study area for wildlife. Write youranswers below.

1. Based on your observations, list the most com-mon bird or mammal species in your study area.

2. Name one other species you would like to attractto your area.

3. What are the habitat requirements for thespecies? List requirements for food, water, andnesting/resting cover.

4. What three habitat management activities couldyou undertake in your study area to improve thearea for the species you want to attract?

(1)

(2)

(3)

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Field Work!

Activity 4—LandownerInterviews

PURPOSE: This activity will help you realize some ofthe practical limitations faced by habitat managersand landowners. Different landowners have verydifferent goals for their property and view wildlifewith different values. Personal values have a greateffect on wildlife management. Wildlife managersmust be aware of and respect landowner attitudes.

2. Ask them the questions on the next page andrecord notes in the spaces provided.

3. Present your interview findings to your classor at a club meeting. Address these questionsin your presentation: Did the two different land-owners have different values? How would theirobjectives affect you as a wildlife managerworking on their property?

1. Interview two differentpeople. They should bepeople such as home-owners, park managers, orsomeone responsible formanaging a piece of land.The land could be aschoolyard, forest, park,or private residence.

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Notes on the 1st Interview

NAME OF PERSON INTERVIEWED: ___________________________________________ DATE: ___________

LOCATION: ____________________________________________________________

“What wildlife do you see regularly on your property or the property you manage?”

“What values do you get from wildlife?” (These may be observing/viewing, hunting, recreation, and so forth.)

“What is your main objective in managing this property?”

“Have you done anything to improve the wildlife habitat on your property?” If yes, describe.

“Would you like to improve your property’s wildlife habitat?” Why or why not?

“What are the main obstacles to improving wildlife habitat on your property?” (Obstacles may include cost,the landowner doesn’t know how, time, no one to help, and so on.)

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Notes on the 2nd Interview

NAME OF PERSON INTERVIEWED: ___________________________________________ DATE: ___________

LOCATION: ____________________________________________________________

“What wildlife do you see regularly on your property or the property you manage?”

“What values do you get from wildlife?” (These may be observing/viewing, hunting, recreation, and so forth.)

“What is your main objective in managing this property?”

“Have you done anything to improve the wildlife habitat on your property?” If yes, describe.

“Would you like to improve your property’s wildlife habitat?” Why or why not?

“What are the main obstacles to improving wildlife habitat on your property?” (Obstacles may include cost,the landowner doesn’t know how, time, no one to help, and so on.)

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CHAPTER 4 DEVELOPING A HABITATMANAGEMENT PLANAnimals choose where to live based on a few basicneeds: food, water, and shelter. Habitat managementinvolves three basic steps: 1) deciding on yourmanagement objectives, 2) identifying which habitatrequirements are in short supply for the species ofinterest, and 3) developing a habitat managementstrategy that will provide the necessary resourcesfor the species of interest.

Biologists often rely on habitat managementplans to guide their activities. Habitat managementplans are used to describe the study area, identify thearea’s strengths and weaknesses, and recommendmanagement practices. Habitat plans are usefulbecause many people may work together on a habitatimprovement project. A well-written plan can guideeveryone’s efforts. Your final project activity will beto prepare a short, three-page, neighborhood habitatmanagement plan for your study area. Follow thesteps described in “Field Work!” on the next page.

OAK TREES PROVIDE BOTH FOOD AND SHELTER.

WILDLIFE CAREER: Wildlife Consultants

Wildlife consultants are professional biolo-gists who work with landowners or agenciesto solve wildlife management issues.

Some consultants work with agencies todetermine the impact that a planned projectmight have on wildlife in an area. Such con-sultants often work with departments oftransportation or other developers who wish toavoid causing unnecessary harm to wildlifehabitats. Consultants will survey the projectarea to determine whether any vulnerablespecies live in the area, then work with projectplanners and engineers to minimize theproject’s wildlife impacts.

Other wildlife consultants work withlandowners who want to improve their landsfor wildlife. These consultants also survey thearea to determine which species are present,then develop management plans to meet thelandowner’s objectives.

Wildlife consultants usually have anadvanced degree, such as a master’s degreeor doctorate in wildlife management.

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Field Work!

Activity 5—Preparing a Neighborhood Management Plan

List at least two management objectives in Section 2of the Habitat Plan Worksheet.

You may want to review Chapter 2 for an over-view of management objectives.

STEP 3: EVALUATE THE CURRENTCONDITIONSBefore developing a plan, a manager must firstevaluate the current conditions of the existinghabitat and then explain the evaluation in terms ofthe management objectives. For example, if yourgoal is to manage for bluebirds, a manager woulddescribe the area in detail and then explain how wellthe current conditions are providing food, water,cover, and space for bluebirds.

Try to identify the major types of plants andanimals living at your site. Where is the nearestwater source? Which of the critical resources—food, water, or shelter—seem to be the mostlimited? How would you describe the area’s succes-sional stage? Evaluate the habitat in terms of yourmanagement objectives.

Now think about habitat suitability. Are there avariety of resources available? Are there scatteredpatches of food and shelter or are there large areaslacking food and shelter? Are there differentvertical layers in the habitat or is it all short mowngrass? Write your evaluation in Section 3 of yourplan.

STEP 4: PLAN HABITAT IMPROVEMENTSOnce you have established your objectives andevaluated the available resources of your area, it istime to begin planning how to improve the site. Therecommended management practices should bespecific for the objectives. In addition, you need tostate when and where each practice will occur. Willyou plant nectar flowers for hummingbirds andbutterflies? Construct brush piles for rabbits? Plantevergreens for wintering songbirds? Put up birdfeeders and nest boxes? Or, will you do all of these?

Most habitat managers follow a step-by-step processto accomplish their habitat improvement goals.Most habitat management plans are based on thefive steps listed below. First use scratch paper todevelop your plan. When you’re finished, copy itinto the Habitat Plan Worksheet provided at the endof this chapter. You may also paste or tape computergenerated text into each section of the worksheet.

STEP 1: MAP YOUR STUDY AREATo begin developing a management plan for yourstudy area, prepare a base map of the site. A basemap is a drawing of the site that shows all of thepermanent structures (buildings, sidewalks, drive-ways, roads) and all of the existing habitat resources(water sources, food sources, den sites, and so on).

You may want to look at topographic maps andaerial photos of the area (if available) when makingyour map. Make your final map the size of one pagein this book, and draw the final version into Section1 of the Habitat Plan Worksheet.

STEP 2: IDENTIFY THE MANAGEMENTOBJECTIVESThere are many factors to consider when decidingon the management objectives for an area. Differentpeople often have different goals for their property.For this plan, pretend you are the landowner and setyour own objectives. But keep them simple! If yourobjective is to improve the area for wildlife viewing,you still have to decide which species or group ofspecies you are targeting in your managementefforts. What are their habitat requirements? Whatdo they eat? Where do they nest? Is it realistic to tryto provide these resources? Remember, you canimprove habitat for animals already living in thearea, you don’t have to attract new ones.

You may need to use a field guide to learn aboutthe habitat requirements of the wildlife in your area(or refer to Appendix I in this book. Or, check withsomeone knowledgeable about wildlife in your areaand ask them which species could live at your site.

36

The easiest way to begin planning is to take aclear plastic sheet and lay it over your base map.Then with a dry eraser or watercolor marker, beginadding the practices you are considering to the mapoverlay. The plastic overlay and dry eraser markerallow you to make changes easily to your planwithout messing up the original base map. If plasticsheets and markers aren’t available, you can do thesame thing with tracing paper and a pencil or simplymake several photo copies of the base map, anddraw directly on your extra copies.

Don’t forget to include provisions for wildlifefood, cover, and water in your plan. If any of theseare missing, your plan will not be as successful. InSection 4 of your plan include a list of the practicesyou recommend. Make note of where and when theywill be done (refer back to your map). Include a few

sentences on why you are recommending thepractice and what animals are likely to use theimproved habitat.

STEP 5: EVALUATE THE PLANThe final part of a management plan is designingsome type of monitoring or evaluation of theeffectiveness of the plan. A manager will neverknow if their plan was a good one if it is not evalu-ated. For example, if an objective of your plan isto increase the diversity of birds seen on a site,keeping a list of birds seen before and after themanagement plan was implemented would be agood way to evaluate the success of the plan.Include your evaluation plans in Section 5 of theHabitat Plan Worksheet.

SAMPLE BASE MAP WITH PROPOSED HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS

37

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Worksheet for Activity 5

NEIGHBORHOOD HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN(This plan may also be done on a word processor and then inserted into the project book at this spot.)

NAME _____________________________________ LOCATION ________________________________

SECTION 1: Base Map of Study Area

38

SECTION 2: Management Plan Objectives

SECTION 3: Current Site Conditions

39

SECTION 4: Habitat Improvements

SECTION 5: Evaluation Plan

40

PROJECT COMPLETION IDEAS

Share your habitat management plan by selectingone of the following methods.

Display Your Project Book and PlanSimply display your habitat management plan in theproject book. You may also want to include photosof the site, drawings, or magazine cutouts of thespecies you are managing for, along with additionallife history information.

Create a Three-Sided DisplayOn the first panel of a three-sided display, pasteyour base map. Below the map, write a brief para-graph about each species of tree, shrub, and floweryou identified. Be sure to include a description ofthe wildlife value of each species.

On the center panel, show the species you aretrying to attract. You can either draw them or cutpictures from a magazine. For each species, make alist of their habitat requirements.

On the third panel, draw your habitat improve-ment map. Label all plants and plant groupings,trees, shrubs, cover, feeders, and water sources yourecommend for the site. Under the map, list yourrecommendations and the wildlife benefits each oneis designed to provide.

Produce a Booklet or Field Tour GuideOn the first page of the booklet, draw a map of yourstudy area and number the “points of interest,” suchas flower beds, berry bushes, water sources, afeathered edge, a snag, and so on. Number thepoints of interest so that they form sort of a looparound the area.

Now make a page for each numbered site inyour area. On each page, describe what the visitor isseeing, what purpose it is serving wildlife, and whatspecies a visitor could expect to see there. Includepictures or drawings on each page if you wish.

Congratulations . . .on completing your management plan. We hope youhave a better understanding of how to evaluate ahabitat and develop a management plan. While theactual implementation and evaluation of your planis beyond the scope of this project, we encourageyou to seek further involvement in habitat improve-ment activities to gain additional experience.

41

Appendix 1HABITAT REQUIREMENTS FORSELECTED SPECIES FOUND INNEIGHBORHOOD HABITATSThis appendix includes examples of some wildlifespecies that are commonly found in neighborhoodhabitats in Pennsylvania and a table that showsmanagement practices that might be recommendedfor those species. This table is not meant to be a“cookbook.” Instead, it lists practices that may beappropriate depending on management objectivesand current habitat conditions. This list and tableoffer you a starting point, but you should not feellimited to these species or practices when youdevelop your own plan.

INSECTS

Butterflies and MothsFood: Larvae of most species feed on plant material

such as leaves, flowers, and fruit. Adults feedon nectar and other fluids. Plant and maintainbushes and flowers that attract butterflies andplants for caterpillars to feed on. Note, larvae(caterpillars) and adults of the same speciesmay require very different plants. Tables ofplants and species attracted can be found inbutterfly guides, and gardening books.

Water: Obtain adequate moisture from diet. Adultssometimes drink from the edge of open water,birdbaths, and moist earth.

Cover/Shelter: Herbaceous and woody plants serveas both food and shelter for larvae and adults.Plant gardens for butterflies in areas shelteredfrom the wind.

Common families: Common butterflies includeswallowtails, sulphurs and whites, fritillaries,admirals, skippers, and metalmarks. Commonmoths include sphinx, silk moths, tigers,noctuids, cutworms, and underwings.

Also see the fact sheet Pennsylvania Wildlife #8:Gardening for Butterflies.

42

AMPHIBIANSFrogs

Food: Diet includes a variety of snails, insects,earthworms, and other small invertebrates.Larger frogs, like the bullfrog, may feed onfish, other frogs, crayfish, reptiles, and smallmammals.

Water: Find most life requirements in or near water.

Cover: Dense vegetation on shore adjacent to water.Hide among floating vegetation in water nextto shore. Mud bottoms are needed so frogscan bury themselves for hibernation duringthe winter. Corridors connecting streams orponds may be used by frogs moving betweenareas.

Common Species: Bull frog, wood frog, pickerelfrog, spring peeper.

BIRDSAmerican RobinFood: Insects and worms in warm seasons. Fruits

and berries from shrubs and trees in winter.Generally do not use bird feeders.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.Will drink and bathe in pools and birdbaths.

Cover/Shelter: Nesting sites and hiding areas inshrubs and evergreen and deciduous trees.Evergreen trees are preferred for early springnests. Commonly found in urban and subur-ban settings with large open areas and nearbytrees and shrubs. Parks, golf courses, andlawns in residential areas are favorites. Willuse nesting platforms.

Eastern BluebirdFood: Insects and spiders make up a large portion of

the diet. A limited amount of fruit is alsoeaten, especially during spring and fallmigration. Usually forage in open grassy orweedy areas. Bluebirds do not come to birdfeeders with seed, but they will come tofeeders with mealworms.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.Obtain adequate moisture from diet. Attractedto birdbaths for drinking and bathing.

Cover/Shelter: Nesting sites are in natural cavitiesand old woodpecker holes. They also nest inbirdhouses.

House FinchFood: Soft fruits, buds, and weed seeds. Eat some

insects in warm seasons. Will use artificialfeeders of all types.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.Will drink and bathe in pools and birdbaths.

Cover/Shelter: Found in nearly all urban areas thathave trees, shrubs, and some open areas. Notas abundant in inner cities. Nest on lowbranches of trees, in bushes, in natural cavi-ties, in old woodpecker holes, and on build-ing ledges. Place nests 5 to 7 feet aboveground. Nest is built of weed stems, smallbranches, and leaves.

House Sparrow (English Sparrow)Food: Eat a variety of insects, fruits, buds, and weed

seeds. Will use bird feeders of all types.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.Will drink and bathe in pools and birdbaths.

Cover/Shelter: Found in nearly all urban areas thathave trees, shrubs, and some open areas. Neston low branches of trees, in bushes, in naturalcavities, in old woodpecker holes, and onbuilding ledges. Place nests 5 to 7 feet aboveground. Nest is built of weed stems, smallbranches, and leaves.

House Wren (Carolina wren has similarhabitat requirements.)Food: Spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles,

caterpillars, ants, bees, ticks, and millipedes;also eat small soft fruits and berries. Birdfeeders are usually not used.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.Obtain adequate water from diet. Will drinkand bath in birdbaths.

Cover/Shelter: Prefer older residential areas withlarge shrubs and trees. Nest in natural cavitiesin trees, old buildings, and other structures.Will use nest boxes. House wren will occa-sionally destroy eggs and nestlings of otherbirds if nest boxes too close.

43

Mourning DoveFood: Waste grain from cropland and a variety of

grass and weed seeds. Will often feed onfallen seed under bird feeders.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.Will drink and bathe in pools and birdbaths.

Cover/Shelter: Prefer tall shrubs and trees fornesting and resting. Nest is made of twigsplaced on branches of shrub or tree. Nestsmay also be placed on ground. Will useartificial nest platforms.

Northern CardinalFood: Waste grain from cropland, weed seeds, fruit,

buds, and insects.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.Will drink and bathe in pools and birdbaths.

Cover/Shelter: Dense shrubs, tangled vines forresting and hiding. Nest in forked branchesdeep in dense pines, spruce, and hemlocks,vines, or climbing roses.

Pigeon (Rock Dove)Food: Feed on the ground. Prefer waste grain and

weed seeds. In urban areas, live mostly onhandouts. Will feed on fallen seeds underbird feeders.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.Will drink and bathe in pools and birdbaths.

Cover/Shelter: Nest on window ledges, roof tops,and bridges.

Ruby-Throated HummingbirdFood: Nectar from flowers and insects found on

flowers. Hummingbirds require high energyfoods. Nectar is high in sugars that supplyenergy, while insects are an excellent sourceof protein.

Water: Obtain adequate moisture from diet. Willdrink from nectar feeders designed for them.Will bath in water misters.

Cover/Shelter: Construct tiny nests on treebranches, usually 5 to 20 feet above ground.Occasionally build nests on secluded areasof buildings. Nest is made out of leafymaterials, lichen, and spider webs.

MAMMALSEastern CottontailFood: A variety of herbaceous plants, grasses, and

garden vegetables are eaten from springthrough fall. In winter, rabbits eat bark oftrees and shrubs. Will eat small grains infood plots.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.

Cover/Shelter: Ideal habitats are one-third grassland,one-third cropland, one-third shrub cover allmixed together. Also use parks, golf courses,where shrubbery cover is available. Use thickshrub or herbaceous cover for hiding andresting. Will use brush piles. Avoids extensiveforests or open areas with no cover.

Eastern Gray SquirrelFood: Spend much time foraging on the ground.

Feed on a variety of nuts, grains, acorns,seeds, mushrooms, and buds. Often aproblem species at bird feeders.

Water: No specific requirements for open water.Will drink at birdbaths.

Cover/Shelter: Nest in cavities of trees or buildnests out of twigs and leaves. Nest is usuallyplaced in the crotch of a tree over 30 feetabove the ground. In areas where den sitesscarce, will use nest boxes.

RaccoonFood: Eat a wide variety of foods, including

garbage, birds, eggs, fish, small mammals,insects, crayfish, grains, seeds, fruits, andhuman and pet foods.

Water: Raccoons are most abundant near water,riparian areas, and lands adjacent to water.

Cover/Shelter: Nest and rest during the day innatural tree cavities, dens in the ground,under brush and junk piles, in abandonedbuildings, and rocky cliffs and ledges. Mostabundant near water, riparian areas, and areasnear wetlands. Also found in urban areas.Prefer areas interspersed with differentsuccessional stages.

44

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45

Appendix 2ADDITIONAL RESOURCESWoodcrafting for Wildlife.Provides construction plans and instructions forbuilding a variety of nesting, resting, and feedingstructures for wildlife.

Available from the Pennsylvania GameCommission, Dept. AR, 2001 Elmerton Avenue,Harrisburg, PA 17110; phone: 717-787-4250.Can also be ordered through: www.pgc.state.pa.us.

Woodlands and Wildlife.Provides information on various wildlife speciesand the management practices suited for forestedhabitats.

Available from Publications DistributionCenter, 112 Agricultural Administration Building,Penn State, University Park, PA 16802; phone:814-865-6713. Can also be ordered through:pubs.cas.psu.edu.

Wetlands and Wildlife.Provides information on the various wetland-dependent wildlife species and the managementpractices suited for wetland habitats.

Available from Publications DistributionCenter, 112 Agricultural Administration Building,Penn State, University Park, PA 16802; phone:814-865-6713. Can also be ordered through:pubs.cas.psu.edu.

Wildlife of Pennsylvania and the Northeast,by Chuck Fergus.Provides life history information on every mammal,bird, reptile, and amphibian found in Pennsylvania.

Available from Stackpole Books, 5067Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055;www.stackpolebooks.com. Can also be orderedthrough: www.pgc.state.pa.us.

“APATH”—Native Plants in the Creation ofBackyard, Schoolyard, and Park Habitat Areas.Provides step-by-step advice on planning habitatimprovement efforts in residential habitats. Includesa detailed list of native plants with wildlife benefitsas well as sources for purchasing native plants.

Available from Audubon Council of Pennsylva-nia, Pennsylvania Audubon Society, 100 WildwoodWay, Harrisburg, PA 17110; www.audubon.org.

46

Pennsylvania Wildlife Fact Sheet Series.This fact sheet series is available free of chargefrom county extension offices and from thefollowing distribution center.

PUBLICATIONS DISTRIBUTION CENTER

THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

112 AGRICULTURAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA 16802

Phone: 814-865-6713.

Web site: pubs.cas.psu.edu

The following titles are currently available in thePennsylvania Wildlife series:

No. 1. Wildlife Habitat Relationships

No. 2. Attracting Wildlife Sources of Assistance

No. 3. Managing Habitat for Eastern Bluebirds

No. 4. House Finch Conjunctivitis

No. 5. Meadows and Prairies: Wildlife-FriendlyAlternatives to Lawns

No. 6. Attracting Hummingbirds

No. 7. Landscaping for Wildlife: Trees,Shrubs, and Vines

No. 8. Gardening for Butterflies

No. 9. Managing Habitat for Eastern Cottontails

No.10. Neighborly Natural Landscaping: CreatingNatural Environments in Residential Areas

No.11. The Basics of Winter Bird Feeding

No.12. Warm-Season Grasses and Wildlife

47

NOTES:

48

NOTES: