My wife Barbara Kipfer has planted 90+ species of native plants in our quarter acre Springfield yard in Ravenwood neighborhood, seen at the red spot below. We are surrounded by lots with close cropped lawns and a few decorative plants, mostly non-native species. After a few years of her tending to the plants, we have had nature move in. Add a few bird feeders to supplement the insects that are attracted by the plants and we have a private nature center outside our back door.
This drone video demonstrates what a small area the yard covers. Although surrounded by typical urban yards, nature has found a way to find a home in the city. In addition to squirrels, chipmunks and a rabbit family, skinks and fence lizards patrol out deck and five different butterflies visit in season. We have counted 25 species of birds on our feeders and our species list continues to grow.
This is all my wife's work while I simply file the bird feeders and enjoy the sites. If this piques your interest, checkout the Missouri Prairie Foundation's Grow Native website. It is important to get out into nature, but it is also fun to bring nature home to your yard.
