Gardening Know How: Attracting Birds and Butterflies from Udemy

Want to attract more birds and butterflies to your yard?

In this course, you'll learn the secrets to creating a garden, patio, balcony, or backyard that welcomes birds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. And the best part? These secrets involve small, practical changes that you can make even if you're really busy or on a budget, or never gardened before in your life.

And, by making small changes, you'll not only do something nice for the environment, you might also:

*Increase vegetable and fruit yields in your garden*Notice fewer pests attacking your plants*Save money by eliminating or reducing pesticide use*Reduce the number of mosquitoes who call your yard their home

Best of all, you'll play an active part in helping struggling pollinator and songbird populations. And, not only will you help animals that share your backyard, you'll also help them worldwide. Way to go you.

That's because a portion of every purchase is donated to the Xerces Society, a non-profit organization that protects invertebrates, including butterflies, bees, and many other beneficial insects.

But be aware, this is a course where you not only learn. . .you act. Assignments, worksheets, and websites will all help you garden in a way that achieves results.

Here's what students are saying:

"Linda has done a great job of explaining in simple steps how to bring more beneficial insects, birds and butterflies etc into your garden making it a wonderful place to be. Her easy action steps will change the landscape of your garden quickly but with improvements you will benefit from for years to come." -Jackie Marie Beyer from The Organic Gardener Podcast"Easy to listen to, good visuals, and great intro to the ideas of making Earth Friendly spaces in your backyard. I'm starting from zero knowledge in this area and she's bringing me up to speed quickly which is nice. Excited to get some bees and butterflies coming to my yard. " -La Stengele

What's inside

Learning objectives

Create a backyard that will attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial animals.
Understand the important relationships between plants and animals, and how this relationship can help you create a thriving backyard full of birds, butterflies, and other beneficial animals.
Identify exactly which flowers, trees, shrubs, and other plants will attract and support birds and butterflies.

Pick from a variety of simple, practical projects that will help create a thriving, healthy backyard ecosystem.
Take small steps toward solving larger environmental problems

Create a backyard that will attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial animals.
Understand the important relationships between plants and animals, and how this relationship can help you create a thriving backyard full of birds, butterflies, and other beneficial animals.
Identify exactly which flowers, trees, shrubs, and other plants will attract and support birds and butterflies.
Pick from a variety of simple, practical projects that will help create a thriving, healthy backyard ecosystem.
Take small steps toward solving larger environmental problems

Syllabus

Course Introduction

Why exactly do you WANT birds and butterflies in your backyard? That's the question I answer in this lesson, plus I give you a quick overview of the entire course.

Understanding what "Earth Friendly" means is really important, because it's the underlying philosophy for the whole course! So in this lesson, I (briefly) explain what I mean when I say it, and, just as importantly, what I DON'T mean.

When you hear the term "wildlife habitat" do you think bears and wolves, and the deep dark woods? Or are you not sure what to think? In this lesson, you'll learn why a wildlife habitat is something you definitely want in your backyard (minus the wolves and bears, of course).

Birds and butterflies make a wonderful addition to any backyard, but they aren't the only animals you should try to attract. In this lesson, you'll learn about some OTHER animals you might want to consider inviting along with all those birds and butterflies.

Keys to a Bird & Butterfly Filled Backyard

Want to get the most out of this course? Then don't skip this lecture, because I give you some SUPER important advice that will jump start your success. Oh, and make sure to check the resource section for 2 worksheets that we'll be using in the rest of the course.

Plants play a very, very important role in your backyard! They provide food, shelter, and a place for animals to raise their young. And native plants are especially good at providing all these things! In this lesson, I define what a native plant is, and how to pick ones that will attract birds and butterflies to your backyard.

Flowers provide a valuable food source for many butterflies, bees, and other pollinators! But planting one or two just isn't enough. In this lesson, I explain the kinds of flower to plant to really attract those butterflies (and bees and other beneficial animals) to your backyard.

Just like you, the birds, butterflies and other animals in your backyard need to eat. In this lesson, you'll learn how to find and provide the kind of food your backyard animals like best!

Water is one of the most essential (and the easiest) elements you can add to your backyard! Whether its a birdbath or bugwaterer (yes, that's a real thing), providing water attracts a wide variety of beneficial animals!

Just like us, the animals that share our backyards need a place to rest, raise their young, and escape from danger. In this lecture, I talk about different kinds of shelters you can put in your yard that will specifically attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial animals.

Chemical control can be a touchy, polarizing subject, which is why I try to give a balanced view in this lesson. And, I offer alternatives that are much more friendly to your backyard residents.

Even with limits like budget or time or many others, you can still create an earth friendly, bird & butterfly filled backyard. This section is where I help you do that!

Facing some road blocks? Not sure how to overcome budget, time, or other constraints? I got you covered!

No gardening experience? No problem! Here are my suggestions for creating a bird & butterfly filled backyard, even if you have no luck with plants.

No backyard? It's all good! Even apartment dwellers can create earth friendly spaces! In this lecture I give you some suggestions for utilizing balconies, patios, rooftops, and other green spaces.

Don't have a minute to spare? Check out my time conscious suggestions that will help you create a more earth friendly backyard, even when time is limited.

Don't have $1000s (or even $10s) to spend on your backyard? Check out my suggestions for a bird & butterfly filled backyard on a budget.

Middle of winter? Believe it or not, you might just be in the perfect season to start creating a bird & butterfly filled backyard!

Bonus Content

Bonus Lecture: Get A Free E-Book

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches how to invite birds, butterflies, and other creatures into backyards as part of a larger effort to protect the environment

Designed for those new to gardening, gardening on a tight budget, or for those without a yard or a lot of time to spend on gardening

Teaches how to create an environment with enough food, water, and shelter for birds, butterflies, and other animals to support a thriving ecosystem

Provides guidance for students with different constraint levels (ex. budget, time, gardening experience) and with different levels of space (ex. backyard vs. patio vs. balcony)

Career center

Learners who complete Gardening Know How: Attracting Birds and Butterflies will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and plan cities and towns. They work with communities to create sustainable and livable environments. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a backyard that is both attractive and beneficial to birds, butterflies, and other creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologists study the behavior, ecology, and conservation of wildlife. They work with governments, conservation organizations, and other groups to protect wildlife and their habitats. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a backyard that supports birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Biologist

Ecologist

Ecologists study the interactions between organisms and their environment. They work to understand how ecosystems function and how to protect them from human activities. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a healthy ecosystem in your own backyard, and how to attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ecologist

Science Teacher

Science Teachers teach science to students in grades K-12. They help students to understand the natural world and how it works. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a backyard that is a valuable learning tool, and how to attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

Environmental Educator

Environmental Educators teach people about the environment and how to protect it. They work in schools, museums, and other organizations to help people understand the importance of conservation. This course will help you learn how to create a backyard that is a valuable learning tool, and how to attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Educator

Zoologist

Zoologists study animals and their behavior. They work in zoos, museums, and other organizations to care for animals and to teach people about them. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a backyard that supports birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Zoologist

Naturalist

Naturalists study the natural world and interpret it for others. They work in parks, museums, and other organizations to teach people about the environment. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a backyard that is a valuable learning tool, and how to attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Naturalist

Horticulturist

Horticulturists grow and care for plants. They work in greenhouses, nurseries, and gardens to produce food, flowers, and other plants. This course will help you learn about the importance of native plants and how to create a backyard that supports birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Horticulturist

Landscaper

Landscapers design and create outdoor spaces. They work with plants, trees, and other elements to create beautiful and functional landscapes. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a backyard that is both attractive and beneficial to birds, butterflies, and other creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscaper

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants help businesses and organizations reduce their environmental impact. They develop and implement plans to protect air, water, and land resources. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a sustainable environment in your own backyard, and how to attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Park Ranger

Park Rangers protect and manage parks and other natural areas. They work with visitors to teach them about the environment and to ensure that they follow park rules. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a backyard that is a valuable learning tool, and how to attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Park Ranger

Conservation Scientist

As a Conservation Scientist, your job is to study and protect the planet's natural resources. You will need to understand the complex relationships between plants, animals, and the environment, and devise strategies to protect these resources for future generations. This course will help you learn how to create a backyard that supports birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures. This knowledge will be invaluable as you work to protect larger ecosystems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Scientist

Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects design and create outdoor spaces. They work with plants, trees, and other elements to create beautiful and functional landscapes. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a backyard that is both attractive and beneficial to birds, butterflies, and other creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Arborist

Arborists care for trees. They plant, prune, and remove trees to keep them healthy and safe. This course will help you learn about the importance of native trees and how to create a backyard that supports birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arborist

Ornithologist

Ornithologists study birds and their behavior. They work in universities, museums, and other organizations to research birds and to teach people about them. This course will help you learn about the importance of creating a backyard that supports birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ornithologist