The possibilities for expanded habitat that Angela identified were great. I now recognize more invasives which I can stabilize. And I’ll have ideas not only for my small meadow but for the landscaped areas around my house. Well worth my time.

My site visit with Angela of Natural Neighbors was inspiring and cheering. It is so refreshing to talk about birds, pollinators, chipmunks, frogs, bats, and snakes. She had simple and insightful suggestions for increasing a variety of wildlife habitats (in my under 1-acre yard) that I look forward to implementing.

It was a pleasure to share my garden with Angela and learn about all the biologically healthy choices that I’ve already made. She suggested next steps for making my garden even more hospitable to wildlife. I’m thinking now about the fauna as well as the flora. Make way for a snake board and water element!

Thank you, Angela and Luanne, and to Biodiversity Works’ Natural Neighbors program, for a fascinating and educational exploration and walk through our property (field, forest, and wetlands).  It was extremely helpful to have your knowledgeable and practical advice on locations where specific native plants could be planted (providing berries for birds in the fall and winter seasons), and habitats for animals (such as nesting boxes for field swallows and bluebirds) established. And how exciting it was to find a Carolina wren nest with eggs, and hear the song of a Northern Parula!  I hope many other private landowners on the Vineyard will participate in this collaborative and useful effort for biodiversity conservation.