Got a backyard? Discover its potential.

Turning your lawn into a wildlife haven turns out to be easier than you think. Here are some basic tips to get you started.

1. FOOD: Plant a native shrub that blooms and produces berries to provide food during winter months.

2. WATER: Create a rain garden or build a pond, or try something simpler like adding a birdbath.

3. SHELTER: Provide a place for wildlife to take cover by adding dense shrubs, thickets, evergreens, or rock walls.

4. NURSERY: Build a birdhouse or a frog pond to provide a safe place for wildlife to raise their young.

5. SUSTAINABILITY: Eliminate chemical pesticides and fertilizers from your gardening routine. Using mulch around plants will help reduce your water and fertilizer needs.

Ready to go all the way and get your backyard habitat certified? Visit the National Wildlife Federation's Web site for a step-by-step guide and application for official recognition.
Go to http://www.nwf.org/backyard

If finding a native shrub has you stymied, try NatureServe's Explorer. Click the "search" link in the top navigation bar on the home page. Then click the "location" tab to find your home state.
Access the database at http://www.natureserve.org/explorer

For more on what gardeners are doing in response to global warming, visit the New York Botanical Garden's Web site:
http://www.nybg.org/climate_change/climate_change_index07.php

New York Botanical Garden's annual climate change symposium offers information and ideas for gardeners:
http://www.nybg.org/climate_change.php