Wildlife is all around us

Herp Havens

Want to bring reptiles and amphibians to your yard? Try adding a cover-board to create a dark space with moisture for these animals. This cover-board will need to be in place for 2-4 weeks before it attracts any herps. In the mean time, it will attract other critters like snails and slugs for your observation.

Moth Lighting

Setting up a light and a sheet to attract moths is a simple and easy way to bring more nature into your backyard! Photographing  moths on the sheet is really easy, and you'll definitely attract other flying insects as well. Want to build your own moth light? Follow this DIY tutorial. Happy mothing!

Focus on Wild Species

Wild observations contribute important data about species biogeography, migration, and more! What makes a species captive/cultivated versus wild?The species is captive if it is present because humans intended for it to be there. This could be your pet, an ornamental flower garden, or animals at the zoo. The observation is wild if the species is present on its own accord, like a moth in the house, seashell on the beach, a weed in the sidewalk, or a fish swimming in the reef.

Attracting Birds

This can be as simple as putting out feeders. Other bird attractions include misters, bubblers, or other audible sources of water. Try a variety of seeds and berries to attract different bird species, like black-oil sunflower seeds, thistle, seed mixes, suet, and nectar. Birds like to assess the scene from safety perches, so try placing bird feed near trees or shrubbery. If feeders aren't working, get on their schedule. Many birds are most active at dawn and dusk.

Catching Critters

1) Look for critters under rocks and logs
2) Use netting to catch species in the air and water
3) Use lights to attract insects at night
4) Use a net to scoop critters out of streams or ponds
5) Break apart rotting wood to find termites and larvae
6) Lay a sheet under a tree or bush and shake the branches

Tips for Smartphone Photography

1) Use natural light
2) Set the focus and exposure by tapping on your subject on the screen
3) Get close to your subject, fill the frame
4) If the subject is moving, use a flash or try burst mode
5) Prevent your shadow from shading your subject
6) Take photos from multiple angles
7) Photograph the bright side rather than the shaded side

Captive or Cultivated

There are many plants and animals in South Florida that fall under this category, like pets, vegetable gardens, exotic landscaping, aquariums, etc.

While these are welcome observations, they are captive/cultivated and should be marked as such in iNaturalist.

Click here for instructions on how to mark observations as captive or cultivated.

Common Plants

How many of these common South Florida plants can you find in your backyard? Some call them weeds, but in the spirit of celebrating urban biodiversity, we will call them opportunistic, hardy, and resilient plants! 

Gardening for Wildlife

Plant with a purpose! Use native plants to create habitat for local species. Use special plants to attract birds and pollinators, like butterflies and bees! Butterfly weed, milkweed, and flowering edible herbs, like dill and parsley, will attract butterflies. Flowering shrubs and trees will provide food and cover for various bugs and birds. Gardening offer so many benefits beyond habitat provision, like stress reduction, mood boosting, Vitamin D absorption, outdoor education, carbon sequestration, the list goes on!