Water is one of the easiest ways to help wildlife at home.

Here are some simple ways to add water for wildlife to your yard:

Bees: Usually, bees get the water they need from the nectar they consume; adding a water station to your yard can help bees and wasps stay hydrated. A water station will also help ground nesting bees like the Rose-mallow Bee who uses water to moisten the hard-packed soil while making her burrows. Females look as if they are walking on water while collecting water. Add a bee water station by putting out a shallow dish and adding a few rocks to provide safe landing spots.

Butterflies: Add a puddling station to your yard by putting out a shallow dish filled with damp sand or soil and add a few small stones and remember to keep it moist. Many butterflies, especially males, need minerals and salts something they can’t get from nectar alone.

Birds: Choose a shallow basin with a shallow slope and keep it clean because birds drink their bath water. Consider adding a a few rocks to it to help fledglings safely take drinks. Baths with fountains or moving water will help attract birds and minimize mosquito breeding. Water should be dumped and refreshed often, especially when it is extremely hot. In the winter, consider putting out a heated bath so the water doesn’t freeze.

Wildlife pond: If you have the space, a small pond is very helpful for all kinds of wildlife. It doesn’t have to be deep but be sure to include sloped edges and rocks in case small animals may fall in. Add some native, aquatic plants to attract frogs, toads, and maybe even salamanders. Line the edges with other native plants and it may become a haven for fireflies.

Photo Credit: Marie Poteat for the photos about bees, Robin Davis for the photos of the pond, and Heather Russell for all the other photos.