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“They make a regular stroll out there at certain times of the day,” said Strasser, noting that the three toms and six hens usually keep separate schedules.
Last month, the National Wildlife Federation certified Mike and Mary Strasser’s home on Country Club Lane as an official Wildlife Habitat. The designation honors homeowners who provide animals with food, water, shelter and spots to raise young as a way to incorporate wildlife into residential areas.
When the Strassers moved to their 5-acre property, they introduced native prairie plants because they thought they would be better adapted to the environment and provide food for wildlife. They also clustered their plants to provide animals with shelter and planted nut- and fruit-bearing flora near the home to bring wildlife closer.
A herd of deer roam the wooded bluffside near the Strasser’s home, and a 12-point buck recently startled a work crew. Mary said she finds the chipmunks cute and likes the orioles and the hummingbirds that come to the feeders each summer.
“As the years have gone by, more and more (migrating) birds are coming back because they remember us,” she said.
Since 1973, the NWF has identified more than 90,000 sites as Certified Wildlife Habitats. Most are private homes, but the organization also has certified more than 2,800 schools and hundreds of business and community sites.
The Strassers moved into their Onalaska home nine years ago. Before that, they lived on a 30-acre spread in the town of Hamilton that also was NWF certified.
Mary said she likes the peace of mind that comes with living in such a natural place. She thinks it’s necessary to step away from the congestion of human society once in a while and likes observing the change of seasons in nature.
The natural environment also is easier to maintain. The NWF recommends keeping a small yard because a big expanse of lawn requires mowing and pesticides and fertilizers that run off into the local water supply.
The Strassers keep fallen trees on their property because they provide shelter for raccoons, squirrels, woodpeckers and other animals. One of their favorite spots is a green bench on the bluffside that allows them to take in the natural scenery.
“It makes you feel very much a part of the planet, more in tune with nature and your surroundings,” said Mary, who volunteers for the Hixon Forest Nature Center and Coulee Region Humane Society. “It’s very calming. Especially if you’ve had a stressful day, it’s nice to come home to this.”
Interested?
Homeowners who are interested in having their yard become a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat must provide elements from each of the following areas:
Food sources, such as native plants, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries and nectar
Water sources, such as birdbaths, ponds, water gardens and streams
Places for cover, such as thicket, rockpiles and birdhouses
Places to raise young, such as dense shrubs, vegetation, nesting boxes and ponds
Sustainable gardening, for example, using mulch, compost, rain gardens and chemical-free fertilizers.
Source: National Wildlife Federation, http://www.nwf.org/habitat
Adam Bissen is a reporter at the Onalaska Community Life.
