Wildlife
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One of the significant benefits of the Texas SmartScape® program is that you will be providing critical habitat for our native wildlife. As our region continues its rapid pace of development, open space and natural areas are becoming increasingly rare. This loss of habitat is having a negative effect on many species native to our area. All creatures, big and small, need food, water, shelter and space to survive. By including native plants in your landscape, you will be providing three of these critical habitat components. With a little planning, you can actually tailor your SmartScape® to attract and sustain butterflies, hummingbirds, other pollinators, or many varieties of other birds, lizards and small critters. We have included the wildlife benefits of many of the plants recommended in the plant selection of this guide. Other resources, such as Texas Parks and Wildlife's Texas Wildscape program can provide you with more detailed information about the specific wildlife value of plants native to your region as well as options on installing the fourth necessary habitat component - water.
Overall, remember one very important concept:
Plant Diversity = Wildlife Diversity!
The greater the diversity of plants in your SmartScape® the greater the variety of wildlife you will attract. Especially valuable are the plants that form the understory layer in most woodland habitats. These are the shrubs and small trees that provide important food resources, such as fruits and berries, as well as shelter and nesting sites for many species.