To survive, every animal requires four basic habitat elements – food, cover, water, and space. The type and amount of different habitat types as well as water sources, topography, geology, human activity and presence of other wildlife species all influence the number and kinds of wildlife that can live on your land. Although factors like topography and geology seldom change, forests can be managed to provide optimum cover, food, and sometimes water, for species of interest.

As you think about the wildlife on your property, consider your property within the larger landscape. Because many wildlife species can move between your property and your neighbors, unless you own a large acreage, your actions may attract some desired wildlife but probably won’t have a large impact on the total variety of wildlife in the area.

• Food