PGAS’s Wildlife Habitat Visit Program

Mission:

To empower, inspire, and educate Prince George’s County residents in their efforts to create and sustain native wildlife habitat by providing them with on-site, no-cost, collaborative visits, led by trained volunteer habitat advisors.

Vision:

To counteract the effects of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, we envision a substantial contribution to a network of individual and community properties transformed into beneficial wildlife habitat.

These are the guidelines we use for creating habitat:

  1. Plant natives.

  2. Provide structure.

  3. Provide food.

  4. Provide shelter and housing.

  5. Use your water.

  6. Replace herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers.

  7. Provide safety and safe haven.

  8. Spread the word.

To prepare for your visit, we will ask you to view two videos (Bringing Nature Home and Let Your Garden Grow Wild) and peruse these resources—Top Ten Native Plants for Your Habitat Garden, Plant This Not That, Birds, Plants, and Garden Structure, Guidelines for Creating Habitat, and The Habitat Hundred.

Here is what you can expect DURING your visit—click arrows for details.

  • Volunteer Habitat Advisors typically spend an hour visiting your property or neighborhood site. They will walk the property together with you, discussing your particular questions and circumstances.

  • They will talk with you about native plants and landscape elements that provide food, water, and shelter for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. They will discuss important topics like garden structure, lawn reduction, invasive plant removal, water conservation, and bird protection. Together with the advisors, you will set priorities and make a plan for moving forward.

  • The Habitat Advisors will write a follow-up report and make themselves available for further assistance if needed.

  • When your yard meets the criteria, you can order an attractive Native Plants for Birds yard sign to spark conversation with your neighbors.

AFTER YOUR VISIT

STAY CONNECTED via email to your habitat advisors and quarterly seasonal bulletins. Help us create and nurture a community of birders and wildlife gardeners.

SPREAD THE WORD to passersby with one of our signs—

Apply for a yard sign

Our Advice on Selecting and Purchasing Natives Plants

The Maryland Native Plant Society has compiled a comprehensive list of local nurseries that sell native plants, and posts upcoming Native Plant Sales.

Earth Sangha in Springfield, VA, and Chesapeake Natives in Upper Marlborough, MD are the two local non-profit nurseries that propagate and sell local ecotypes.

You can also order native plants online, with the caution that these businesses serve a broad geographic range, so you need to make sure that what you are purchasing is native to our area.  We recommend:  Direct Natives, Izel Native Plants, The Pollen Nation, Prairie Moon

For help with choosing the best candidates, start with Landscaping with Native Plants and Native Plants for Wildlife.