There are many ways to help wildlife--and sometimes the simplest ways to help are by the things you don't do.

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10 Things you could STOP Doing!

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1. Avoid all tree & shrub trimming or major home renovations during the spring/summer nesting period (approx. early May-early July). Also, avoid any major house or remodel projects that incur excessive noise or create toxic fumes (house painting, sealing decks/patios/driveway) during nesting; birds are EXTREMELY sensitive to fumes which can quickly prove fatal. When nesting, their instinct is to remain with their nest and young, so they can quickly succumb to chemical fumes. Many of these birds travel 2000 miles (or more!) each spring to reach their nesting site and raise a single brood...allowing them the 8 weeks they need to safely raise their next generation is the simplest way to ensure these species survive and thrive.

2. Do not use sticky tapes (for bugs, or Spotted Lantern Fly) or sticky glue traps for rodents. The vast majority of wildlife killed in these traps are birds and non-target animals like snakes (which are exactly what you need around to control rodents)! The Raptor Trust receives scores of birds every year who are injured or perish from these tapes. Sticky tape/traps are simply ineffective and cruel.

3. Do not use rodent poison! Our raptors and wildlife such as raccoons, foxes, opposum and skunk frequently die from eating poisoned baits or rodents. There ARE safer rodentcides (such as Agrid, which is often used on farms), as well as more humane poison alternatives such as Rat-Ice, Contra-Pest, and carbon monoxide treatments. We have used all these options and can confirm they work and the best success often comes from combining several methods.

4. Avoid using fireworks--especially during the nesting season of May-early July. The newest studies available have found fireworks have a far greater negative impact on wildlife (especially birds) than was previously known. Fireworks also contain multitudes of toxic chemicals and heavy metals that pollute the air and settle into our yards, soil, and water systems.

5. Leave the leaves! Birds and wildlife depend on them and the bugs they shelter;leaves are also the natural and ideal fertilizer for your trees. If you haul away your leaves, you are starving your trees!

6. Stop using pesticides and fungicides on your lawn, trees and plants. Lawn and tree treatments with pesticides are dangerous and can be fatal to birds, wildlife, and pollinators.

7. Don't cut down your dead trees and leave dead trees standing wherever they are not an immediate danger to structures or cars. Snags (dead trees) are extremely important to wildlife!

8. Don't feed birds unless you can keep feeders and birdbaths clean & sanitized. Feeders can quickly spread disease if they are not maintained. In particular, hummingbird feeders must be emptied and cleaned daily anytime the temperature is over 80F or there has been heavy rain. This is a LOT of work...be honest with yourself and if you can't commit to that level of maintenance, please do not use feeders; plant bird-friendly flowers and plants instead.

9. Don't install ponds near busy roadways or traffic if you are near a natural water source (creek, stream, river, etc.); instead, choose a site as far away from the road as possible to avoid luring amphibians across or near roadways.

10. Stop removing large, healthy trees and hedges! Trees are one of the most important resources we have!

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10 Things to Start Doing!

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1. Start your own habitat! Even a bird-feeding zone and a small pond or water source helps wildlife tremendously. Don't know how? Need help? Drop us an email. We also do consulting if you want a complete site plan.

2. Buy plants carefully--make sure your plants are not treated with neo-nicotinoid pesticides (many plants purchased as local "big-box" stores and even nurseries are treated with pesticides unless they are specifically marked otherwise).

3. Turn out your lights at night, or install dark-sky fixtures or shades for outdoor lighting. Bats, pollinators and birds are GREATLY affected by night-time lights. 1 billion birds die during migration each year in the US, largely due to collisions with buildings and windows; this occurs most often at night when the majority of birds make their migration flights.

4. Replace your lawn with clover--which is more resilient to heat and drought, does not need mowing and provides food or pollen to bees, deer, rabbits and groundhogs. Clover also improves soil by fixing nitrogen.

5. Pledge to plant trees and shrubs that produce nuts, fruit, berries, seeds, pollen or nectar---this year and every year you remain on your property.

6. Encourage bugs on your property---even "bad" ones. This is probably the single most important way to help birds, as bugs make up significant percentage of migratory birds' diet.

7. Grow a hedge and ditch the fencing; if fencing is required, ensure it's wildlife friendly

8. Use local Animal Control to remove wildlife. Wildlife removal by pest control companies results in the death of the animal as it is against the law for any entity other than local Animal Control to release wildlife; animals removed by pest control companies are ALWAYS destroyed. Most pest control can be done DIY with the appropriate equipment.

9. Keep cats indoors! Cats are one of the largest causes of bird mortality and the decline of bird populations.

10. Make sure your pond water isn't killing wildlife! If installing ponds intended for fish or for amphibians (frogs, toads, or salamanders), you MUST treat your water to remove the chloramine. Chloramine does not dissipate over time like chlorine and must be removed with a liquid chloramine neutralizer. Chloramine-treated water (which is all water supplied by the NJ American Water system) will eventually kill every amphibian or fish it comes in contact with. Also, it's wise to supply water to your pond with a drinking-water safe hose; hoses that are drinking-water safe will be clearly marked as such on the packaging (and will ensure you are not adding lead to your pond...or to you, your pets, or kids!)