If you are one of Illinois’ 2.5 million rural or suburban homeowners, you may have some neighbors that you’ve paid little attention to - all the wildlife, seen and unseen, who claim joint ownership of the area surrounding your dwelling.

You may have noticed squirrels, cardinals, finches, different species of sparrows, and an occasional frog or garter snake sharing your backyard environment. But numerous other animals can be attracted to a backyard (or schoolyard, church or temple parcel, company or hospital property, or other similar tract) that has been designed to accommodate wildlife. An amazing variety of wildlife, hundreds of species in fact, can reside permanently or seasonally in small parcels of land near structures occupied by humans. Given the necessary habitat elements, these species will tolerate considerable human activity and readily coexist with us in our yards and other small tracts.

Wildlife aren't the only beneficiaries of backyard sanctuaries. People can get great aesthetic pleasure from both the plants and the animals. Nothing quite soothes the soul like sitting under a tall oak, gazing at a rainbow of garden color swaying in the afternoon breeze, or like enjoying breakfast at the kitchen table while watching cardinals, blue jays, and goldfinches eat theirs just beyond the window. Landscaping for wildlife also provides another benefit for the homeowner: increased property value. Shade trees, windbreaks, flowering shrubs, flower beds, and other plantings that improve wildlife habitat can boost a home’s desirability and selling price.

Schools, hospitals, houses of worship, private businesses, and public offices can benefit from providing improved outdoor settings for their students, patrons, or employees, who may use them for social gatherings, lunch breaks, and other activities. Large trees, bushes, and herbaceous plants decrease noise pollution and contribute to healthy air quality. Small spaces designed with wildlife in mind are good for public relations and good for the environment.

Landscaping for wildlife doesn't have to mean creating an environment uncomfortable for human habitation. A backyard, schoolyard, or business parcel can have "wild" areas with unmowed vegetation but still keep mowed paths, walkways, or other sections of lawn for the human visitors who prefer a mix of manicured and natural. And creating some living areas for wildlife neighbors will result in less outdoor maintenance time and cost.

This chapter provides a few ideas for taking wildlife needs into account on small parcels of land around homes, businesses, and community areas so that humans and native wildlife can continue to coexist in Illinois' changing landscape.