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backyard
Backyard Conservation
Bringing conservation from the
countryside to your backyard
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"
shows you how conservation practices that are used on agricultural land
across the country to conserve and improve natural resources can be
adapted for use on the land around your home. These practices help the
environment and can make your yard more attractive and enjoyable.
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. Ten conservation practices have been scaled down for
homeowners and city residents to use in their yards. Tip sheets offer "how
to" steps and helpful hints on the following practices:
Check out our new Marion County SWCD
Backyard Conservation Fact Sheets
Because of many questions about around
conservation issues and home sites, our District has developed several
fact sheets. See our Backyard Conservation Fact Sheets. Check out our
info on
Invasive Species,
Native Plants,
Tree Planting,
Rain Gardens,
Rain Barrels, Wildlife
Habitat and
Water Edge Enhancements. Also see the What to do about..
Surface Drainage Around Your Home and
Sub-surface Drainage Around Your Home.
Additional Tip Sheets (developed at the National level)
See
More Tips and Topics on Backyard Conservation
Most backyard conservation
practices are easy to use. America's farmers and ranchers have been using
these practices successfully for decades.
The tip sheets and a colorful
28-page booklet on Backyard Conservation are available free by calling
1-888-LANDCARE (single copies only), as well as
on this
website. This campaign is a cooperative project of the
National Association of Conservation
Districts , the Wildlife Habitat
Council , and USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Backyard Conservation Lesson Plans
A series of lesson plans to teach students about Backyard Conservation
through hands-on studies that promote field investigation and action.
Lesson plans are available for elementary grades 3 to 5, middle school
grades 6 to 8 and high school grades 9 to 12.
See
sample
news releases and features on Backyard Conservation.
Additional Backyard Conservation materials including a starter kit and
video are available through the Marion Co. District Office or the
National Association of Conservation
Districts.
Audubon at Home (see graphic on left)
In
recognition of the increasing importance of backyard habitat to bird life,
the National Audubon Society and NRCS work together to engage the public
to improve the health and habitat value of backyards and neighborhoods
across America. This partnership supports
Audubon At Home, a
program that promotes conservation action and environmental stewardship
starting at home. Annually in mid-February, Audubon and the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology conduct the Great Backyard Bird Count, supported by NRCS and
others. Audubon and NRCS share a common goal to foster an environmental
stewardship ethic in all segments of society—rural, urban, agricultural
and nonagricultural communities
Backyard Movie (see graphic on left)
See our 30 second Backyard movie. This video requires
Apple Quicktime. You can also
read the transcript of this movie.
 Backyard
Movie (449K)
Download the Backyard Print Ads
These print advertisements require
Adobe Acrobat.
 Vertical
Ads (349 KB)
Horizontal
Ads (322 KB)
Other websites for additional information:
Plant A Million Trees Project
Hoosier
Heartland RC&D Backyard Trees Program
Backyard Birds,
Birdhouses, and Feeders
Bat Conservation
International
Dimensions for Birdhouses
National Arbor
Day Foundation
National Audubon
Society
National
Wetlands Conservation Alliance
National Wildlife Federation, Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Program
State Fish and Wildlife Agency homepages
State Forestry homepages
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service fact sheets
USDA Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service
USDA Forest Service
U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service bird pamphlets
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