Step 4: Places to Raise Young

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You've given them food, water, and shelter from predators now for the final ingredient for the perfect backyard wildlife habitat. A place to raise the next generation of little critters.

The options for this are as varied as the critters you can attract and may already be provided for in earlier steps depending on choices you've made.

Amphibians will be more than happy laying their eggs in the same pond that you provide as shelter. Birds may nest in trees and shrubs. Butterflies will lay their eggs on different plants and vegetation.

As with each step of this process, a little research goes a long way towards making sure that the species you're attracting have the perfect place to rear their young. Be sure to read up on how to research your wildlife habitat.

You can also provide plenty of man-made options to supplement what's naturally available. Bird and Bat houses can be made following simple plans or purchased.

To become certified you need to provide at least two places for wildlife to rear their young. Here are some suggestions:

• Mature Trees
• Meadows
• Nesting Boxes
• Wetlands
• Caves
• Plants for Caterpillars
• Dead Trees
• Dense shurbs or thickets
• Ponds
• Burrows

As you can see, many of these popped up during Step 3 and can easily pull double duty depending on what critters you'd like to see in your yard.