LCAS Program Meeting Apr 23: Landscaping for Wildlife in an Urban Environment

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A blank slate and a desire to make a difference has allowed Margi and Tim Griffith to transform their city backyard in a new housing development into a wildlife haven. By starting over with their home’s outdoor landscaping, they have created a refuge for birds, bees, and butterflies, along with rats, mice, voles, possums, raccoons, and an occasional cat or two.

They followed advice from local landscapers and programs such as Dr. Doug Talmay’s “Homegrown National Parks” and The National Wildlife Federation’s “Backyard Wildlife Habitat” programs. The native Oregon species they introduced now provide natural food sources and places of refuge for the 3 B’s (birds, bees, and butterflies). Thus far their efforts have resulted in visits by 78 species of birds, 11 species of bees, and 9 species of butterflies and moths.

Tim Griffith is a recent transplant to Eugene from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He spent eight years working with wildlife and avian biologists from several wildlife conservation organizations, as well as both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. A rabid birder from the age of 10, he spent many hours hiking, floating, and driving the backroads, mountains, and forests of the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. He participated in many research projects from tracking Great Gray Owls to doing Breeding Bird Surveys, while looking diligently for Grizzly Bears and Mountain Lions. Tim holds a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science, minors in Forestry and Wildlife Ecology, and an M.S. in Wildlife Ecology, all from Southern Illinois University.

Meet your friends or make new ones at the Campbell Center (155 High) on Tuesday, April 23. The doors open at 6:30 for social time. The program starts promptly at 7:00. A Zoom link will also be available, appearing here about a week before the program. Past programs are posted too, about a week after.