Lower Southampton Elementary School
7 School Lane, Feasterville, PA 19053
215-322-9330
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Lower Southampton Schoolyard Habitat#131
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 | Teamwork: You will want to start small as you begin your habitat. As interest and support grows, so will you habitat! To ensure a successful endeavor, students and adults will need to work together. Ask teachers, parents and the principal to get involved as part of the team. Most importantly is to get your school custodial staff on your side! You will need their support especially during school breaks and summer months. You may also want to contact local business partners, landscapers, garden clubs, and garden centers to ask for advice and materials. If they know you are committed to the project and will follow through your plans, they are more willing to support your project. |
| Identify Your Site: Where do you want to develop your habitat? Do you have an enclosed area or an unused part of ground near the school or the playground?? Select your site and map out the area. Now you need to plan your habitat. |
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Making A Plan: When you create a backyard/schoolyard habitat, you must keep in mind the basic needs of habitat: |
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Food: You want to plant flowers, trees and shrubs to attract wildlife. The plants provide berries, seeds, leaves, and nectar for visiting wildlife. Place feeders for the birds throughout the habitat. Using a variety of seed will attract a variety of bird species. When selecting plants, it is usually wise to select native plants. (wild plants that grow naturally in your area.) Sticking with perennials means less care and less work maintaining the habitat. |
| Water: Birds are attracted to water. A simple shallow dish in the ground provides water just as well as a fancy store bought version. Be creative!!! Trash can lids or plant trays work well. It's fun to find things around the school that you can use. If space is available, a small pond will attract small animals such as reptiles and insects. A birdbath provides water for drinking as well as bathing. It is important to provide water year round. During winter months you may need to remove the ice and refill the birdbath with fresh water. |
| Shelter: When planning your habitat you want to provide trees and shrubs for birds. They will act as an escape from predators. Tall grasses and wild areas are home to insects such as grasshoppers and praying mantis. If space allows, plan for a brush pile which acts as an animal hideout. |
| Places To Raise Young: Planning for shelter becomes important because shelter provides places for raising young. Birdhouses and tress become nesting sites. Plants become hosts for eggs laid by butterflies. (milkweed/Monarch Butterfly). If you plan a well developed site, wildlife will feel safe and stay around to raise their young. |
| Map Your Site: Using graph paper, map out your site. Mark any changes you may need to make. Mark where plants, trees and shrubs will be placed. Where will bird feeders be placed? Nesting boxes? Birdbaths?? Look at it as a long term plan. Draw the completed projected site. Remember to start slowly. You don't have to do everything third first year. Choose your priorities and plant a few bushes or shrubs and a small variety of plants to attract butterflies. Add a birdfeeder, a nesting box and a birdbath and you are well on your way to help wildlife and the protection of habitat. |
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Lower
Southampton Schoolyard Habitat #131
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