Protecting the Wild Co-Host Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant has tips to fill your holiday season with glee while ensuring your decorations are wildlife friendly.
Tips for wildlife friendly decor
Reuse decorations year after year
When decorating for the holidays, think about sustainability. Can you use the decorations year after year?
“Even if it’s plastic, if it can be reused for a long time, that’s the best choice for supporting the environment,” Dr. Rae said.
It can be tempting to buy the latest holiday decor trend, but look for items that are timeless. You can also help the environment by finding decor at thrift stores or garage sales.
If you’re shopping for an artificial Christmas tree, make sure you keep it for a long time.
“If you buy a cheap artificial tree, you may need a new one the next year, but this could lead to overconsumption,” Dr. Rae said. “Instead, invest in a Christmas tree that will last multiple years.”
Support a local Christmas tree farm
For folks who love the fresh scent of a real Christmas tree, you’ll be pleased to find out that real trees are beneficial for the environment!
“It’s a good idea to support a Christmas tree farm,” Dr. Rae said. “Generally, they’re growing these trees to a certain size and they then turn the farm over. Usually there aren’t a lot of pesticides and it’s a good use of the land.”
While your Christmas tree grows, it’s producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. And once your tree is cut down and the farmer plants again for the next year, the cycle repeats.
Recycle your Christmas tree
Once you’re ready to take down the ornaments and move into the new year, don’t chuck your tree to the curb. Search for organizations in your community that will reuse the tree.
In some cities, residents can take trees free of any foreign material, such as ornaments, lights and hooks, to drop-off locations. The trees will then be composted and used to nourish city gardens.
Another fun way to recycle your tree is to see if your local zoo will accept them. Some zoos use Christmas trees as enrichment activities for the animals. Think of it as giving the animals a new toy for Christmas! Check your local Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo’s social media pages to see if they accept trees.
Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden collects tree donations and uses them as enrichment activities for some of their species including some adorable lion cubs.
The many uses for pumpkins
If your front door is flanked by pumpkins, there are a lot of wildlife-friendly ways to dispose of them at the end of the season.
“Pumpkins are great! They’re festive, they’re natural, they decompose and they support local agriculture,” Dr. Rae said.
- Add pumpkins to your compost pile. First, remove any decorations and candle wax from your jack-o’-lantern. Then cut up your pumpkin and place it in your compost pile. If you don’t personally compost, search to see if a community garden near you accepts pumpkins.
- Call your local wildlife rescue. Many local wildlife rescues can use your discarded pumpkins and other unwanted gourds and produce to feed the animals in their care.
- Donate your pumpkin to pigs. Check out Pumpkins for Pigs, a nonprofit foundation which lists animal farms, sanctuaries and rescues that accept pumpkins and other organic material. The pumpkins are a tasty treat for pigs, goats and sheep.
- Repurpose pumpkins in your yard. Consider carving your pumpkin into a bowl shape and placing in bird seed. You’ll have a festive bird feeder in no time!
Be careful where you put plastic decor
It’s tempting to transform your yard into a holiday spectacular. But keep wildlife in mind when you’re placing artificial decor.
Keep spider webs inside
When it comes to webs, let the spiders decorate the exterior of your home. Place fake spider webs inside your home. Line your windows for a spooky, but wildlife-safe, effect.
Though fake spider webs won’t trick spiders, they do cause issues for other animals.
“They do confuse birds,” Dr. Rae said. “Birds and insects can get caught up in them. Birds like to try and steal stuff to make a nest, and they can get tangled up in the fake webs trying to eat it.”
Unlike real spider webs, the decorative ones don’t break down and no animal likes to get trapped in a web.
Carefully place outdoor lights
If you’re planning on putting holiday lights around the trees or bushes in your yard, be mindful. Try to wrap any lights tightly around trees. Deer can get caught in loose lights and have the cords wrapped around their antlers. Or simply place lights and other decorations higher up in trees and bushes where most animals won’t be able to run into them.
“Adding artificial things to the outdoors makes an impact, but for animals, it’s as if someone came into your home and made changes,” Dr. Rae said.
If you do add lights, don’t keep them on all night.
“Artificial light at night can cause some confusion for nocturnal animals,” Dr. Rae said. “Don’t keep them on too late. Turn them off once it gets to be evening.”
By following these tips, both you and the wildlife in your neighborhood can enjoy the excitement of the holiday season.
Keep your yard wildlife friendly all year round by building a wildlife garden. Plus, check out these tips for backyard birdwatching.
