Urban and suburban backyards aren’t usually thought of as conservation spaces. Conservation tends to focus on distant places and well‑known species, while the wildlife living close to home, like the insects, birds, and amphibians quietly disappearing from our neighborhoods, goes largely unnoticed. But private land, like your backyard, matters more than you realize. In fact, small changes in the way you tend your backyard can support biodiversity.
Those “unremarkable” backyard species matter, too.
Amphibians like frogs and toads, for example, are declining rapidly. Many backyard species are facing similar pressures, largely due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Since backyards make up a large portion of developed land, there are things you can do to help.
Rewilding a yard – by removing invasive plants, planting native species, and improving habitat – benefits both wildlife and people. Studies show that simply realizing it’s possible to make a difference can motivate people to engage in conservation activities like rewilding.
Gardening is one of the primary ways many of us interact with nature, yet many common gardening practices harm ecosystems. Nonnative ornamentals often provide no ecosystem benefits, require excess water, and depend on chemical fertilizers and herbicides. Many gardeners don’t see their yards as part of the ecosystem at all.
Promoting small‑scale rewilding helps shift that perspective. When you understood that your yard matters, you just became more ecologically aware. That’s awesome! And now you can make changes that support well-being for both humans and wildlife.