TippECOnowTippecanoe Ecological Footprint for
Neighbors of the Wabash
Katherine Ortegon & Marjorie BlackburnEcological Footprints
What is wildlife?Wildlife habitat is an area that has all the necessary items to support life of an animal or animals. Necessities including food, water and shelter make up an area that invites wildlife to live and develop.
Creating a wildlife habitat is a simple as providing those three necessities in one area. Wildlife habitats can be found anywhere; the forest, a school garden, and even in your own backyard. Hence, BHV is a sustainable initiative consisting in the creation or modification of backyards, gardens, or balconies in order to promote and restore wildlife in commercial and residential areas.
1. Personal InformationBasic user information
Information about ecological footprints (websites: NRCS, The
National Wildlife Federation, and Plant Native)
information of community service projectsFuture evaluation system
(users target)
2. Wildlife and habitat information
• Basic information (e.g. importance of wildlife habitat)
• Benefits (create a wildlife habitat, energy bills, fresh fruit, and aesthetical values )
• Statistics of Tippecanoe County (e.g. regional and county wide statistics on species of animals that are located within the area)
• Sources of information.
3. Tabs
3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools
What is your total property area? (sq.ft)House area?(sq.ft)Number of trees or plants?
What kind of food resources do you have?GIS survey (land/ water)Do you have places to raise young?
The survey…example
Artificial food
Artificial food + feeders
Natural fruit trees
Within 1 mile
Within 1/4 mile
>84-70-3
Within 1/2 mile
Nonexistence
Artificial nesting places
Natural nesting places
3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools
Characteristic
Low (1) Medium (2) High (3) Description
Backyard Wildlife area (area covered with native
plants, shelter, food sources, water)
25% of yard 50% of yard 75% of yard Your Total property area - house or structure area (a)Total available area
- Property not used in wildlife area(large empty yard, concrete courts,etc.)
(b)Total Habitat area available
(b)/(a)x100= % of useable area
Water sources Saucer/bird bath
Small Pond Stream/moving water source
Have link for ideas to create healthy water sources
number of trees or plants 0-3 4-7 >8 Count the diversity in yard; shade trees, tall plants, tall
shrubs Food resources Artificial food Artificial food
+ food advices Natural fruit
trees
Number of animal species with visible activity
0-3 4-7 >8 Each kind of bird should be taken as a different species.
Accommodation of native species vs. invasive species.
Invasive plants present
Making management progress on
invasive
All native species
Places to raise young Nonexistence Artificial nesting sites (e.g. nesting
boxes)
Natural trees, dense shrubs,
native grass land areas
Have link for ideas to create artificial and natural nesting
sources
Shelter for wildlife Nonexistence Artificial cover sites (e.g.
birdhouses)
Natural cover Have link for ideas to create artificial and natural shelter
places Availability of habitat value for water, food and shelter. ( x 3)
Only in summer
Spring, summer, and
fall
All seasons Should be evaluated per each variable (water, food, and
shelter) Management practices Use of
chemicals and artificial fertilizers
Use of artificial and natural fertilizers
Natural fertilizing methods
(compost)
GIS survey (Land) Within 1 mile of land
resource
Within 1/2 mile of land
resource
Within 1/4 mile of land resource
e.g. natural park, forested area.
GIS survey (Water) Within 1 mile of water resource
Within 1/2 mile of water resource
Within 1/4 mile of water resource
e.g. wetland, Wabash river, lake
3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools
Characteristic
Low (1) Medium (2) High (3) Description
Backyard Wildlife area (area covered with native
plants, shelter, food sources, water)
25% of yard 50% of yard 75% of yard Your Total property area - house or structure area (a)Total available area
- Property not used in wildlife area(large empty yard, concrete courts,etc.)
(b)Total Habitat area available
(b)/(a)x100= % of useable area
Water sources Saucer/bird bath
Small Pond Stream/moving water source
Have link for ideas to create healthy water sources
number of trees or plants 0-3 4-7 >8 Count the diversity in yard; shade trees, tall plants, tall
shrubs Food resources Artificial food Artificial food
+ food advices Natural fruit
trees
Number of animal species with visible activity
0-3 4-7 >8 Each kind of bird should be taken as a different species.
Accommodation of native species vs. invasive species.
Invasive plants present
Making management progress on
invasive
All native species
Places to raise young Nonexistence Artificial nesting sites (e.g. nesting
boxes)
Natural trees, dense shrubs,
native grass land areas
Have link for ideas to create artificial and natural nesting
sources
Shelter for wildlife Nonexistence Artificial cover sites (e.g.
birdhouses)
Natural cover Have link for ideas to create artificial and natural shelter
places Availability of habitat value for water, food and shelter. ( x 3)
Only in summer
Spring, summer, and
fall
All seasons Should be evaluated per each variable (water, food, and
shelter) Management practices Use of
chemicals and artificial fertilizers
Use of artificial and natural fertilizers
Natural fertilizing methods
(compost)
GIS survey (Land) Within 1 mile of land
resource
Within 1/2 mile of land
resource
Within 1/4 mile of land resource
e.g. natural park, forested area.
GIS survey (Water) Within 1 mile of water resource
Within 1/2 mile of water resource
Within 1/4 mile of water resource
e.g. wetland, Wabash river, lake
3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools - Results
(0-14) (14-28) (28-42)“You have the basic elements and
great opportunities to improve your backyard wildlife habitat”
(suggestions).
“Good job!, continue working in your backyard habitat”
(suggestions)
“Congratulations! you are ready for the backyard habitat
certification process”
MaximumAverage
My score
42
25
20
3. Tabs3.1 Calculation Tools-Backyard design
• This would include a program in which you could input the area of your yard add the area of your house and also add anything that you already have. It would look like a blueprint of your backyard.
This database would include many identifying pictures of the animal species and identifying species of the food, water or shelter needed.
Before After
3. Tabs3.2 Incentives and benefits
• Advertisement: Landscaping and gardening companies list sales.
– At least 14 Lawn and Garden suppliers in Tippecanoe. About 9 architectural services.
• Promotional coupons and links to plant and garden tool discount stores.
– Partner with these businesses and create opportunity for price benefits for residents participating in our website.
• Green practices.– Rain barrels– Rain gardens– Companion planting vs. fertilizers – Create wind block – Etc.
Best Backyard Practices
This will benefit both the
residents and the companies in the
community!
3. Tabs3.3 Get Involved
• Educational opportunities (e.g. seminars)
• Community service projects.• Networks.
Learning together
Help others to build their backyard
Wildlife Habitat
networks
3. Tabs3.3 Get Involved
• Events & Activities- listed on the Tippecanoe Co. Website• Wednesday Mar 24
Sounds of Spring- Wacky Woodcocks! • Wednesday Mar 31
Planning with POWER • Wednesday Apr 7
Watershed Management, Water Quality
Educational Opportunities Examples
• Nature Conservancy work days each month
Community Projects listed by green initiative groups
• National Wildlife Federation
Networks or Programs that residents can get involved in.
Thanks !!!
Questions?
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