Human development has crowded out much of our native wildlife habitat, but the good news is that you can make a difference without leaving the house.

Coming up, will show you how an introduce you to a few folks building wildlife sanctuaries right in their own backyard next on Georgia Outdoors.

funding for Georgia, Outdoors has been made possible by a grant from Mary Hall, Singleton, and by the Emily Foundation, Our world is becoming increasingly urbanized, and as we pave our way, across the land, native ecosystems are affected.

Habitat loss is the number one cause of wildlife population declines and over the years commercial and residential development have pushed a number of Georgia's species to the brink of Extinction.

But there are a few things you can do around the house to make a difference.

By making your yard more, Wildlife friendly, providing food water and shelter for birds and planting native plants helps attract more Wildlife to your backyard and in the process, improves your quality of life.

What better place to see an example of a wildlife friendly backyard than the home of two.

Genuine Wildlife biologists, we visited Nathan and Joyce Klaus an ornithologist and a herpetologist who've done a lot around their 25 acre property to attract all sorts of wildlife.

It's in Western Monroe County and it's 25 acres and an old farmhouse.

I've lived here for about seven years and you've been here how long?

Almost a year.

I will be your next month.

We have a little Christmas tree farm.

We have a lot of fields and Hardwoods and Pines and chickens is he can hear the thing that attracted me was there's a lot of birds here.

So I felt right at home, Nathan installed, bird boxes around the property to encourage nesting birds bird boxes a lot of them, we built our I built, I should say when I was remodeling my house, I took out a wall and there's a lot of good.

Lumber in that wall and So I made a bunch of bird boxes out of it and over the years, they've been used by just about everything you can imagine.

The couple also has a number of bird feeders, which helps to enhance their enjoyment of a wildlife friendly property.

We use the feeders really just to bring burden to where we can see them.

So we have won by our kitchen window, where we breakfast and we have won by Joyce's desk and so she can sit there while she's working and enjoy the birds and everything else.

We really just try to provide the habitat that gives them the food.

He's planted as many native plants.

We can, but we did have some existing non-native plants that do not reproduce and recruit into the wild so they'll stay where they are without spreading out.

Things like Quince and Camellias, you just find them in every Georgia yard.

So we've kept those.

But several of the landscaping plants we had that are invasive.

We've removed.

Another thing, you can do around your home to help promote Wildlife is Provide water, Nathan installed a small pond in the backyard, which attracts some of Joyce's favorite creatures frogs and salamanders mason built the pond for birds to get drinks.

It's right Babs.

Not knowing eventually he would marry herpetologist.

Yeah, but I've been really excited about having the pond here.

We've heard several species of frogs calling back.

There will be almost a dozen.

I think the couple also.

So plants vegetables on their acreage and they take great care to make their Garden environmentally friendly.

The garden is something.

I started when I first moved in, it was just Georgia, red, clay and was not very productive.

And one of the things that I learned how to do is to ameliorate the soil, we've dumped a lot of organic matter, you know, going down to the dump and picking up the mulch that they give away for free.

And it over time, it's developed a really beautiful color and it's very friable and very productive and so we raised a good bit of our food now in the garden, the Cyprus Malta.

Ouch is a vector for spreading Laurel Wilt disease, which affects some meat of Georgia at plant species and the mulch that were using, doesn't spread it the way, cypress mulch, that it's whenever we're making decision about how to manage our land.

We try to connect the dots between what were using and where it came from.

And we spent a lot of time talking about what we're going to do.

We take a walk on our land at least once a day.

I think we both feel that that, you know, we're I guess we're the legal owners are Place.

But there's an awful lot of animals that have lived here a lot longer than I have and longer than Joyce has.

And and so we really try to use as little of it as we can for our own purposes.

I think we feel that we get so much from the land that we want to try to give at least a little bit back.

If you're interested in promoting Urban Wildlife, you can do things on your own or join a group of like-minded people.

The Audubon Society is one of the most active environmental organizations in Georgia.

Encouraging Wildlife friendly back yards across the state in Atlanta residents can have their yard certified as a wildlife sanctuary.

I'll an Autobahn right now has about thirty eight hundred members, our main goal is to preserve birds and their habitats and so we Try every way we can to get out and preserve green spaces and educational efforts.

In addition to birding, the backyard wildlife habitat works very well with the preserving the habitats it involves butterflies and birds.

And also a lot of plants in nature that people enjoy.

Every year Atlanta Audubon features a tour of exemplary wildlife sanctuaries around the city.

We try to Showcase some of the sanctuaries that we've certified that stood out.

It sounds really huge, a sanctuary but in actual fact it can be a very small thing as well.

So the tour is a great way to take people to inspire them to do more, or people who are already doing something and let them in.

Roof from open Park like Landscapes to more concentrated backyards of variety of habitats are on display.

The first stop on the tour is a landscape.

Very close to downtown Atlanta.

This is a city park which is in the middle of Ansley Park neighborhood and historic neighborhood which was designed on the theme of olmsted's parks.

So this park, we see as a natural, pastoral green Oasis in the middle of the city.

When we started working on the park, there was an enormous amount of kudzu covering whole sections of the park.

Had an acre of kudzu and one spot.

So a lot of the work has been taking out plant material, that's exotic that we don't think of as natural plant material, that encourages Wildlife exotic species such as Kudzu English.

Ivy, Chinese privet and most bamboo species are considered, invasive, Exotics plants brought in from other countries which take over quickly and crowd out native species when planning your Wildlife friendly.

Lee Garden you'll want to steer clear of these plant thugs.

There are plenty of non-invasive and native plant species which can be just as beautiful in your backyard.

The next stop along the wildlife sanctuary tour found inspiration in a love of birds and bird watching.

When we moved in the property was over, planted in lots of non-native, Hedges Japanese Holly's, and Illy, Agnes, and privet, and that kind of thing.

And over the years, we've eliminated that those things and then got really interested in planting the yard to attract birds and butterflies.

As we became more and more interested in birding, I just am fascinated by watching these little avian creatures right in our own backyard and anywhere else I can get to them.

Next up on the tour is the home of Mary middle - who took a yard that looked like this and transformed it into an urban Wildlife Oasis.

Our main goal initially was to attract birds and butterflies mostly butterflies.

I've always liked flowers, so we concentrated on that and as I've learned more, I've tried to put me in more Natives and things that are of course perennial and things that are drought tolerant so that we don't have to spend all of our time water.

Lana's habitat loss is very distressing and so it's nice to be able to put some of it back.

The final stop on this tour of backyard.

Habitats belongs to Dale her XE.

Let's a double City lot with an older house and Creeks running behind the property.

We've invested a lot of time and energy in creating a wildlife sanctuary.

And planting native plants and perennials, and annuals and trees in order to attract Wildlife.

It was definitely overgrown.

And, you know, typical Prove it.

The previous owners had been treating this back area as a lawn it wasn't really grasper say the statistic that they throw about about 50 acres of, you know, Woodland being lost every day in the Atlanta area.

To me, that's reason enough, anybody?

And everybody who can do their own little bit, to try to maintain some wildness and attract Wildlife just providing a refuge in the city for Any animals that you can?

I think we have an obligation to try to fight some of the negative things that are going on in our own way.

All of the backyards on audubon's tour of backyard wildlife.

Sanctuaries were certified under a rigorous set of guidelines.

We accompanied certification coordinator Jacqueline McRae.

As she surveyed to backyards vying for the esteemed title.

Good.

On it.

It's probably right I'm Jacqueline.

Nice to see you.

Basically we want to encourage people to do the right thing for the birds and the wildlife in the Atlanta area and throughout Georgia.

So when people Express an interest, our goal is to have them consider.

Why the birds are in their Garden other than just putting out bird feeders.

And so we first asked people to document what they have and then you know, we try and explain to them how this is helping how about you give me a tour which is walk around.

And see the area that were certifying then long time.

Atlanta resident, probably Arma learned of the backyard certification program.

Through a neighbor we're doing a good job.

This is our 24th year here.

One of her neighbors were certified.

Since then I've been wanting to get our property get certified, something haven't really worked much towards it, but this will give me a chance to really work on it and make sure I have the Native plants and not invasive plants.

Oh my gosh, is this all yours too?

She had native plants that were kind of smothered by the IV.

The IV had escaped from somewhere else and it was just out competing everything that she had.

When she eventually gets that Ivy up, she's going to be surprised by the things that she already has that.

She can showcase just revealing this beech tree or revealing this area here, move this IV away and really let those Beech trees flourish though.

As much work still to be done in the end, prabhas yard was determined to be a good example of backyard habitat.

She absolutely got the certification her heart's in the right place and she's very aware of path that she's got to take now.

And she's clearly been good custodian until this point.

She had the bird houses to and she just looking at for wildlife in general here in the city, you know, would not like two miles from I-85.

And there she has that wonderful sanctuaries.

Hi, I'm Jacqueline.

Nice to meet you next Jack.

Evelyn made her way to the nearby House of Mary Lou.

Mccleskey whose manicure yard was quite different.

Just everyone has the same plants, you know, the same 10 things are everywhere.

And what we need to do is restore it and have try and get a hundred different things back here.

And if you do that, then you're going to have a hundred different kinds of wildlife.

Mary Lou has a very typical yard for this area where people put in the pine trees and put in the azaleas normal stuff.

But nothing very diverse.

I think Mary Lou has recognized this, it looked She had really been pulling out a lot of stuff, it felt like she had the canvas, and she left in some of the big pieces.

And now she was ready for ideas of things that she could put in there.

Instead that would be very good for wildlife.

We've lived here quite a while we have about a half an acre of a little herb garden and some we've grown a few vegetables and we've done a lot of laissez-faire with a lot of the other plants or keep it mode in the middle and see what gross I've spent.

A lot of years focusing on my career.

Here and I want to think about my environment a little bit more.

You've done a good.

Thank you have lots of different feeders.

So you have good, good diversity, the birds are not going to die or staff without us putting feelers out but they do bring the birds where we can see them.

So they're important because they make you realize how many different kinds of birds.

You actually have it is important to have feeders in the wintertime.

You're not going to keep birds from migrating because you had a great feeder, you're feeding the ones that stayed behind that would normally be foraging and trying to find And food here.

So you're really helping them out.

So I'm going to certify you as a life Sanctuary.

Second relation, we certified Mary Lou's property because she had the main components, she's doing the right thing, a hearts in the right place.

It's all about education and inspiration.

And then ultimately for us to see where where these Gardens are and to understand how birds can continue to live here or Right through here.

We hear about all the things that are being destroyed and changed and concrete it over, and yet, even in your own garden, you can make a difference.

Across the state.

Many communities have instituted Citywide programs to help promote, green space and Wildlife friendly Gardens on the coast.

One place that's making a difference.

Is The Landings, a unique Housing Development on Skidaway Island near Savannah.

The Landings lies on scoot away Island.

We're located just inside of the barrier islands of Wausau and ossabaw Island and where you are bordered to the west by the city of Savannah.

We are not a Barrier Island, but we are surrounded by Marsh tidal Creeks, rivers and Marsh home to Lush Coastal.

Woodlands a variety of Wildlife and an environmentally active Community.

The Landings is a good example of people interacting positively, With the natural world.

And like many Urban Wildlife projects, it all began with a healthy interest in our fine Feathered Friends.

We start at the burden Club more than 10 years ago now and it started with just a handful of people that really were birders even before they moved here over time.

It's grown.

I think we've got yellow warblers here.

The Landings is a popular spot for birds in part because of its proximity to the coastal wetlands.

But also because of the Land Management.

That's applied to the community.

Laney's Association has a tree preservation policy in place.

What this does is preserves a lot of our old growth trees and also preserve their canopy.

They tried to put the native plants in that.

Don't require a lot of upkeep and weeding, you can't always have lawn under your trees.

You need to sometimes have that Messi's.

You know, the Palmettos and the wax myrtles in the Willows at on the island.

You don't want a trim it up and make it all look like Central Park.

You want it messy because that's what allows us to bring in the birds.

In addition to underbrush and tree cover The Landings.

Also boasts, a large amount of ponds and lagoons, both man-made and natural.

This is a natural pond that we dug out to make it deeper.

And it's been a real attraction for nesting species of birds.

Primarily the large, waiters the egrets, the herons water's deep enough here that there are alligators in the pond, the alligators.

Keep the raccoons away from the nests and in turn.

They every once in awhile and egg rolls out chick dies falls out of the nest.

That's the alligators reward for keeping the whole Colony safe and it works very effectively.

Another great place to spot birds at The Landings is the sparrow filled.

The brainchild of Landings resident Russ, why in the acres and Acres of manicured lawn, we've got this very natural setting, little postage stamp attracts at least 10 species that have never been found on the island and probably 20 species that are rarely if ever found out here.

The field is the result of disturbed land that has been partially, reclaimed by native grasses.

This habitat is unusual for a Coastal Island and as such attracts many unique species of sparrows, another great way to appreciate the wildlife is through the system of nature trails that weave in and out of the golf courses and residential areas that is really some of the most manicured parts of the island are its golf courses.

At first glance, these areas might appear to offer very little opportunity for conservation.

But in fact, all of the courses at The Landings are audubon's certified, Audubon certification basically means that you are managing your golf courses in an environmentally friendly way.

In these days of water conservation, maintaining the golf courses in an environmentally friendly.

Manor is especially important.

The Landings uses a unique method of recycling to water the courses they distribute.

Recycled water overspray Fields, where it filters, through the Earth, and is reclaimed through shallow Wells.

This naturally.

Cleansed water is then used for irrigation.

We have upgraded, the irrigation technology on all of our golf courses, they use our Lagoon.

Waters and times when we have a decent amount of water, falling from the sky.

And then in other times, When there is not that water available, they can reclaim this water that's applied to the spray Fields through a shallow, well system.

We actually conserve about ten or fifteen percent more water with these new, irrigation systems that we've installed on, for the courses, the golf courses are also home to another Landings, resident, the bluebird, the Dave, Scott Bluebird program.

Places specially made bird houses all along the golf courses and monitors them regularly, helping to ensure.

That these feisty little birds always have a refuge to raise their young during the hatching season.

They would check the boxes about once a day and they would monitor them until they were pledged volunteers.

Keep a careful count of the bluebirds, hatched a practice that provides Clear.

Proof of how successful the program is last year, we fledged 809 bluebirds.

And this year, the count is About 840.

So we're increasing each year.

The residents play a huge role.

As far as with our Audubon committee being able to impact a lot of the programs that go on and at The Landings they bring in the native plant native vegetation.

They're really kind of our Backbone in how we plant in a lot of our policies that we make in a time when construction and development continues to spread further and further into the natural places of our state.

This community is truly an oasis of smart planning and environmental thinking In these days of frequent droughts.

There are many things you can do to conserve water around your backyard.

Here are a few ways to be water smart when caring for your garden and Lawn plant wisely, choose plants that are native to your area are drought resistant and thrive in your local environment.

Mulch proper mulch is the key to preventing water loss from your soil.

Reducing the need for supplemental irrigation and finishing off the Attractiveness of aliens collect water place, rain, barrels under downspout to collect water.

That can be used to hydrate your landscape without turning on a faucet for more tips and information on how to conserve water around your yard and in your home visit the watersmart website Bird-watching and gardening are great ways to experience the joys of nature right in your own backyard during the day but the enjoyment doesn't have to stop just because the sunsets backyard campouts are another way to experience outdoor adventure in your very own yard each June the National Wildlife Federation sponsors the Great American backyard camp out a nationwide event designed to make kids aware of the Wilderness right outside.

They're door.

We joined sustaining Urban Villages at The Outdoor Activity Center as they hosted their own backyard camp out.

This is an awesome opportunity for us to engage Youth, and to a fun activity, and oftentimes in urban areas, even leaving the neighborhood to go camping elsewhere, is not something that our kids are necessarily engaged in.

We find couch potater syndrome.

Lot of kids, their idea of a Friday night is to play video games or the movies are stereotypical.

Things, we want to highlight.

There's a whole wonderful world, right?

Outside your back door.

All right across the way at peace in the urban Forest is in your neighborhood.

Hosting.

Tonight's event is sustaining Urban Villages, an organization dedicated to providing effective, social Urban Development, The Outdoor Activity Center offers children, the opportunity to experience the outdoors without ever having to leave the city situated on a 26-acre forest in Atlanta.

The Outdoor Activity Center offers not only space to camp.

But nature trails?

A rope course and organic garden as well.

We focus primarily At this point on green space, in the urban areas before tonight's participants can explore this natural treasure in the Heart of the City, campers must put up their tents while they still have light.

Once the tents are up, it's time for the nature walk where the campers will have a chance to learn about invasive, species, Recycling, and organic gardening, where the water come from.

From the rain.

It's a recycling method called rain barrel as it rains.

It, collects the natural rain water.

Urban forests are very important especially now where we have more attention on global warming.

We have more attention on the types of climate changes that we're experiencing as a result of the climate and environment being changed.

The Outdoor Activity Center is also home to the Hartnett community garden, a certified organic garden maintained by volunteers.

That sort of vacation comes as a result of the way that they maintain the garden without pesticides and chemicals, they use crop rotation to make sure the nutrients remain and the soil.

For example, if you plan a particular crop, in one bid this year, you would wait three years before replanting in that same bed, the same type of crop.

After the campers have worked up an appetite on their walk, it's time to eat.

We'll have beans and franks in traditional.

Can't meal will have some s'mores some granola some fruit for early morning?

Plenty of drinks.

So be light Fair.

Once the campers have refueled, it's time to hit the trail one more time.

When we stop on the trail, we'll turn our flashlights off.

So we won't scare away the nocturnal thing.

I think once you're outdoors and you're actually a Navy natural environment, you have a greater appreciation for you, have an appreciation for the things that you wouldn't necessarily see inside for the stars.

For example, after a full evening enjoying the fresh air, the campers are off to bed.

Many campers tonight will be their first time sleeping in a tent.

In an increasingly urbanized world.

It's all too easy to forget.

What it means to see the stars, to hear the hoot of an owl or just to enjoy the Tranquility of being in nature.

Luckily, you don't even need to leave your own backyard.

funding for Georgia, Outdoors has been made possible by a grant from Mary Hall, Singleton, and by the Emily Foundation,