Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 22, 1990                   TAG: 9004230016
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOW TO BRING WILDLIFE CLOSE TO HOME

FOOD: The National Wildlife Federation recommends planting a variety of shrubs, trees and other plants that produce nuts, berries, buds, fruit, nectar and seeds.

Select native species. Local nurseries can help. A number of trees can be purchased at a discount from the Virginia Forestry Department.

"Some people go wrong by expecting too much too quickly," said Pete Bromley, with the wildlife extension service at Virginia Tech.

Choose enough species that hold food well into the winter, which is the toughest time for wildlife, Bromley said. Supplement this production with feeding stations.

COVER: Just like people, wildlife needs protection. Dense shrubs, hollow trees, brush piles, stone walls, evergreens and tall grass will provide this.

Information on bird houses is available at county agricultural extension offices.

WATER: Drinking and bathing water can be provided by a birdbath or small pond.

Not many Backyard Wildlife Habitat applications fail to receive certification; however, when they do it generally is because of the lack of water, said Deloris Manns of the federation.

"We really ask that you do supply water on a year-round basis," she said.

A free information packet on the program is available from the National Wildlife Federation, Backyard Wildlife Habitat, 1400 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.