Wildlife in Natural Areas

Beavers are nature’s original engineer! Native to north Texas, they create habitat for a multitude of other species. In droughts, beaver ponds provide an oasis for other species and may be the difference between life and death of our wildlife. Often, beaver ponds are the last remnants of water remaining during the heat of the summer. Fish, frogs, mammals and birds rely upon these watering holes.

In larger parks, beaver dams are fine; and in fact, they create habitat and attract wildlife that make the park more interesting. In some cases, beaver activity can be a problem when their dam blocks infrastructure such as roadway culverts. In a few parks, beaver dams are occasionally removed because the park doesn’t have enough room to support a pond. Over time, beaver dams wash out and the natural ponds free-flow into the stream. This is a natural evolution of land-building, as beaver dams retain sediment that settles out over time and builds up the soil.

Birds appreciate natural areas because the vegetation provides cover, nesting material, shelter, and food. Protecting, enhancing and restoring habitats, increasing native plant coverage, and enhancing habitat for pollinators improves bird habitat. Look along stream buffers and prairies for migrating or less common birds. Check out our iNaturalist page to discover what bird species are in our parks and open spaces.

Birds of interest: Northern Parula, Mississippi Kite, Wood Duck, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Painted Bunting
Common backyard birds: Blue Jay, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Common Grackle, Northern Mockingbird, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren

Pollinators include butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, wasps, flies, ants, and a few bird and bat species. The food web is built upon plants and those insect species that collect pollen and nectar. Not many pollinators are found in active use, mowed areas. However, you can find an abundance of pollinator species in Natural Areas where plants are able to flower and produce seed. 

Mayors and other leaders of local and tribal government are taking action to help save the monarch butterfly, an iconic species whose eastern populations have declined by 90% and western populations by 99% in recent years. Through the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge, U.S. cities and other communities are committing to create habitat for the monarch butterfly and pollinators, and to educate residents about how they can make a difference at home and in their community. National Wildlife Federation

There are a variety of mammals in your very own backyard. Urbanization has encroached upon wildlife habitat. Opossums, raccoons, armadillos and skunks to name a few. How do we co-exist with these sometimes cute creatures?

Coyotes and raccoons are very adaptable to urban environments and find it easy to go into yards where housecats, pet food and rodents are attracted to outdoor pet food and trash. To reduce wildlife interactions in and around your home, keep pets indoors or in a fenced yard, don’t leave pet food sitting out overnight, and keep litter and food waste/containers in a secured receptacle.

We share our city with wildlife!

Will natural areas increase the likelihood of rodents? 

No. Rodents are very adaptable and they thrive in urban environments. When their habitat is destroyed or altered, they readily move into our homes.

Will water in natural areas harbor mosquitoes?

It is true that mosquitoes need water to reproduce. Even a small planter pot in a backyard can collect enough water to breed mosquitoes. The difference between natural bodies of water and a planting pot is that streams, wetlands, ponds, and lakes encompass an entire aquatic ecosystem where there are many predators of mosquitoes. Fish, frogs and toads, aquatic insects, dragonflies, bats, and many birds rely on mosquitoes as a major food source. These hungry animals keep mosquitoes in check in a natural ecosystem. There are no mosquito predators in a planting pot.

Will natural areas encourage egrets and herons to roost in the park?

Egrets and herons are native migratory birds that are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Act. They form colonial rookeries where they roost at night and breed during summer. Natural areas provide native habitat for these birds, which should attract them away from neighborhood trees.

Will natural areas increase the likelihood I will see a snake?

Possibly. While you might see a snake next to a stream, river, or natural area, snakes are part of the natural environment and they serve a very important function in the food web by helping to control the rodent population.