Natural Resources

Creating a backyard wildlife habitat site that attracts songbirds, butterflies, and other interesting wildlife can be fun, peaceful, and rewarding. Replacing a barren lawn with beautiful wildflowers and other native plants will increase the appeal of your property and will provide a nurturing place for wildlife. It is important that you provide them with their three basic needs; food, water, and shelter. Here are some methods of providing these needs:

• Food: Bird feeders and hummingbird feeders are a good way to attract birds to your naturescaping yard; however, it is better to attract wildlife with natural growing sources of seeds, berries, and nectar. Plants that attract insects that birds like to eat are also a good way to provide food.
• Water: Because an open clean water source is an increasingly rare resource in urban environments, it is the feature most likely to attract wildlife. You can use something as simple as a saucer filled regularly with clean water or construct something more sophisticated like a pond, recirculating stream, or a fountain.
• Shelter: Birds and other creatures need protection from other predators and the weather. By providing dense evergreen trees, shrubs, and nesting boxes for birds, you supply them with a place to nest and raise their young.

Invasive species can include plants, animals, or insects. They are species that have been introduced by humans or by other means to a location where they did not previously occur naturally. Invasive species can displace native species, and have the potential to significantly alter local ecosystems. Examples of invasive species that can be found in Wilsonville include: Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, nutria, and European starlings.

First, it is important to note that not all wildlife create conflicts. They behave instinctively doing whatever they need in order to survive. That being said, there are some things that you can do to prevent wildlife from infringing on your property. Basically, wildlife have three key necessities; food, water, and shelter. If you don’t provide these components you will lessen the odds of having to contend with them.

Often people send mixed messages by feeding or inadvertently sheltering wildlife so that they may enjoy viewing them but after an unpleasant experience they quickly alter their perception of particular species. If you have found your situation to be unmanageable, the Audubon Society of Portland offers Living with Urban Wildlife brochures and information.

The city has adopted regulations that protect natural resource areas, such as the Significant Resource Overlay Zone (SROZ). The SROZ (Section 4.139 of the Wilsonville Development Code) protects wetlands, riparian corridors (areas that directly drain to a stream or river), and upland forests.

Development is prohibited in these protected natural resources areas, with the exception of relatively minor development impacts. In addition, the city has many important natural areas that are protected within local parks and open space areas.