Backyard Conservation is a nationally promoted program that helps homeowners decide what conservation practices are right for their own yards. It is a cooperative project of the National Association of Conservation Districts, The USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Wildlife Habitat Council, and the National Audubon Society.

For 60 years the Cape Atlantic Conservation District has assisted farmers and landowners with conservation practices that help prevent soil erosion and offsite sedimentation, attract wildlife, improve water quality and conserve natural resources. The national Backyard Conservation program has taken the practices that have been used successfully on the farm and has adapted them for your home or school. Our District has embraced this nationwide conservation effort and promotes its benefits through many of our education programs. The 28 page color booklet created by this program is a great way to start to learn about backyard conservation. Click here to download a copy of the booklet.

The ten basic conservation practices
included in the program are:

Tree Planting
Wildlife Habitat
Backyard Pond
Backyard Wetland
Composting
Mulching
Nutrient Management
Terracing
Water Conservation
Pest Management

Using Native Plant Species
for Wildlife Habitat Improvement

The use of native plant species at a school, in a park, or around your home can be beneficial in many ways.  Wildlife use  plants for food and shelter, while you benefit from the beauty  these plants and wildlife add to the landscape.  The native plants are readily accepted by wildlife but also are adapted to our environmental conditions.  They are adapted to our soil conditions, resistant to pests and once established require less maintenance. 

The Cape Atlantic Conservation District has created a guide "Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat Improvement in New Jersey's Coastal Plain Region" that provides information about native plant species that are beneficial to wildlife of the Coastal Plain region of New Jersey.  These plants can be used to help establish wildlife habitat areas on your property.  The plants are listed in the categories of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.  In addition, environmental parameters for the use of these plants are identified in terms of soil moisture conditions, light preference and plant characteristics.  Most of the plants in this guide are readily available from the nurseries and garden centers in this region. Click here to download a copy of this guide.

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