Snapshot of Ash’s Homelife for Wildlife

Here’s what I’m doing at Home to live in harmony with wildlife. I hope it inspires you to do the same. Please feel free to take any of these items as your own and do send me a note with questions if you have them. I’ll support your efforts however I can!

Nature

With 10-acres as our home and wildlife’s home, we devote time to caring for it and sharing it. Because we believe in coexistence.

dark forest with sunset in background and bare branches with flower ground coverage

Animals

We believe animals are our neighbors, not to dominate over but to live in peace with – because they make life better!

homelife for wildlife - plump songbird with bright golden throat sitting on broken log with surrounding snowfall

Us

When it comes to our own homelife, we do with little to ensure we don’t take more than we need to survive.

Favored Quotes that Keep the Momentum Going

“Make a long term commitment. Commit your personal time and energy for a long time to a single place. You will not make a difference somewhere in a couple of years. Think in decades..”

Greg CarrOversight Committee at the Gorongosa Project, Mozambique

“Find a conservation calling — that animal, place, issue — that pulls at your heartstrings in a way nothing else does. This will be a project that you will chip away at probably for a long time.. If you can make a big difference on one thing, that is a life well spent.”

Morgan HeimPhotojournalist

Forest

Vowed never to take down a tree and we’re only encouraging new trees to pop up - We now have evergreens, alder, big leaf maple, vine maple, hazelnut, cherry, cherry plum, apple and more. Plus, we only take what’s already fallen or ready to fall for our wood stove. However, the sawdust logs are ideal!

Birds

No matter the season, they receive bird food, water and nesting material from us. They also love that we leave the brush piles and don’t burn them because it’s home to a whole neighborhood of songbirds.

Creek, Streams & Wetland

We only encourage the land to do what it wants to, with each season. We help clear dead canopies of branches to allow light to neighboring trees and the ground, we clear debri halting the water flow as it subtly changes (for the fish!) and only tend to the small paths as more manicured - the rest remains wild.

Deer

We have generations of deer who find the homestead as a sanctuary. They raise their young here, stay close to us and the chickens, and are always free to eat and drink whatever they find!

Soil

Compost set up, garden in the greenhouse, and we ensure not to disturb more soil than needed to feed us.

Squirrels & Chipmunks

Many ‘shoo’ these critters - we help support their way of life (and they even take walks along with us).

Water Usage

As off-grid, we compensate through rainwater collection, have a composting toilet installed and reuse grey water for the garden.

Native Habitat

Currently removing noxious weeds and invasive species on these 10 acres, encouraging the growth of trees and plants for the purpose of building natural habitat since this acreage had been partially logged.

Power

Acreage is raw, cabin is off-grid

Structure

House utilizes little material, as a 16x16 one room cabin, with recycled door and all windows.
Imagine a world where you step outside and are greeted by a symphony of chirping birds, graceful deer gracefully grazing, and vibrant butterflies dancing in the air. That world can become a reality when we take it upon ourselves to create a haven for wildlife.

 

I’ve experienced the sheer joy of watching a family of deer playfully running circles around our brush piles, or seeing raven parents soar across the sky to keep eagles from their young who live right here with us. It’s like witnessing a magical spectacle unfold before my eyes.

 

By crafting a nurturing homelife for wildlife, we become guardians of nature’s treasures. We have the power to provide them with food, water, and safe spaces to flourish. In return, we receive a deep connection with the natural world, a sense of wonder and awe that rejuvenates our souls.

Want Help Doing the Same?

If you have questions or seek advice, I’m here to help!

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