Winter 2006

Table of Contents

The Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program is an outreach effort with a how-to packet about landscaping for wildlife, supplemental feeding, and other information

Enroll your property as a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary

Some of you reading this are likely not enrolled in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) program, now that this newsletter is available over our Internet website to all browsers, and by e-mail notification to those who sign up.

“Crossing Paths with Wildlife in Washington’s Cities and Towns” began in 1992 as the newsletter of the BWS program, which began in 1985 to help urban and suburban property owners create habitat for wildlife.

The BWS program is an outreach effort with a how-to packet about landscaping for wildlife, supplemental feeding, and other information, available for $5 through WDFW’s two urban-centered regional offices in Seattle (Mill Creek) and Spokane. Those who complete the habitat inventory included in the packet and return it with a $5 enrollment fee receive a BWS weather-proof yard sign and frameable certificate, and are added to our mailing list.

This newsletter was originally printed and mailed only to those who enrolled in the program. Most of the content is about managing a backyard wildlife sanctuary, although we also include a wide variety of information of interest to all wildlife viewing and appreciation enthusiasts who don’t fish or hunt.

A few years ago we began providing an electronic copy of the newsletter for BWS enrollees who wanted to help us save paper and mailing costs, or simply preferred to read it on-line. Starting with last fall’s edition, we shifted to an all-electronic newsletter (which can be downloaded and printed out for those who prefer something in hand), due to tight staff and goods and services budgets.

If you are a new reader of “Crossing Paths” and not enrolled in the BWS program, we encourage you to learn and involve yourself more by obtaining the extensive information packet and certifying your property with a yard sign and certificate. All details are at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/backyard/.