{"id":11324,"date":"2022-06-29T18:55:50","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T18:55:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/?p=11324"},"modified":"2022-07-06T15:10:30","modified_gmt":"2022-07-06T15:10:30","slug":"cwf-garden-certification-for-wild-by-nature-forest-sanctuary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/en\/cwf-garden-certification-for-wild-by-nature-forest-sanctuary\/","title":{"rendered":"CWF Garden Certification for Wild By Nature Forest Sanctuary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guest blogger Barbara Canning is a CWF Wildlife-friendly Certified Gardener.<\/em><\/p>\n

The decision to certify our nature sanctuary with the Canadian Wildlife Federation was an easy one.<\/h2>\n

We wanted to show others that if bringing nature back could be done at our property, others could do it too!\u00a0My family and I have been working for several years to bring nature back to a depleted old former quarry<\/a> on the Bruce Peninsula.\u00a0It had been quarried for decades, so the wildlife had moved on to greener .\u00a0There wasn\u2019t much left to work with at the beginning but rocks and a few remaining trees that hadn\u2019t been taken down.\u00a0It\u2019s several acres in size so we are helping it grow back in a natural state that will support a wide range of species.\u00a0It is different than many city gardens.\u00a0It is beautiful in a wild and wonderful way!<\/p>\n

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Cleaning last year\u2019s nesting material to give bluebirds a fresh start for spring \u00a9 Barbara Rabicki Canning, owner Wild By Nature Forest Sanctuary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First, we removed the invasive species that seem to find spots to grow when nature is disrupted. Then we planted trees sourced from the local conservation authority, year after year. With pick-axes, and carrying bags of soil up steep, rocky slopes, and pails of water and wood chips.\u00a0 It\u2019s so exciting to plant the little bare root saplings into the ground, and watch them leaf out over the summer. There\u2019s a saying \u201cFirst year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap\u201d. That\u2019s exactly what we see in our garden. Trees do double duty: they help wildlife and combat climate change as they hold carbon as they grow. Trees that were seedlings just a few years ago are now taller than me. It feels good to know you play a role in helping heal the earth.<\/p>\n

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“] Seedlings saved from another site growing in our tree nursery \u201cThe Hive\u201d \u00a9 Barbara Rabicki Canning, owner Wild By Nature Forest Sanctuary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Creating a garden for wildlife is an amazing journey! Not only do the plants grow, but we learn and grow as well.\u00a0The Canadian Wildlife Federation has great resources on their website that help us choose plants suitable for our site.\u00a0The CWF website also helps us understand how ecosystems work.\u00a0Each part is valuable: food, water and shelter.\u00a0It all adds up to a healthy environment for wildlife.\u00a0And a healthy environment for wildlife is healthy for us all.<\/p>\n

Every year we add different plants to increase biodiversity. That means providing food and habitat not only for wildlife that is easy to spot, like the many bird species that come to visit or live here, but also the small creatures. Pollinators such as bees and wasps are such an important part of ecosystems and need to have habitat too.\u00a0Sometimes the very plants they need to survive are important plants that some people used to call weeds, such as milkweed.\u00a0Milkweed is the sole food for hungry Monarch Butterfly<\/a> larvae, so it\u2019s important to grow several plants in a wildlife garden, along with pollinator-friendly plants that the butterflies need once they take flight.\u00a0Other tiny creatures like beetles, millipedes and earthworms also do important jobs like breaking down the woodchips and helping to build healthy soil where plants can grow.\u00a0We welcome all these creatures in our garden.<\/p>\n

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Tree stumps become homes for wildlife \u00a9 Barbara Rabicki Canning, owner Wild By Nature Forest Sanctuary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We have really noticed that as we plant more variety of pollinator-friendly plants, we are visited by more and more birds and wildlife.\u00a0Some stay for a while to nest, and others feast and continue their journey.\u00a0We are so happy to do our part to provide something they need.<\/p>\n

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New life grows in decaying tree stumps \u00a9 Barbara Rabicki Canning, owner Wild By Nature Forest Sanctuary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Neighbours and other people often stop and ask about what plants help attract wildlife. They are amazed when they walk by and see the garden alive with so many beings!\u00a0We are glad we can tell them about CWF and the resources on the website to help people.\u00a0Many people want to certify their gardens for wildlife, too.<\/p>\n

Our garden is our happy place.\u00a0Year round, it is full of life and fascinating to watch.\u00a0Whether tending the garden, or just being still and watching the wildlife, it brings joy knowing we are part of helping nature.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Gardening for Wildlife<\/a>.<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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