In the Spring of 2012, Quinta Mazatlan is again offering theBackyard Habitat Stewardprogram! Participants will receive 15 hours of classroom and hands-on training —and will be encouraged to design a small wildscape in their own backyard.The Rio Grande Valley hosts an incredible diversity of birds and other wildlife but also faces the challenge of maintaining habitat with increasing urbanization.

Topics for this 6-session Program include: Wildlife in Your Backyard, Xeriscaping to Reduce Water Usage, Green Tips, Top Native Plants, Native Trees and Soil, Garden Ideas, Compost and Mulch, Offering Shelter, and Feeding Birds. Local experts will be on-hand to answer your questions. You will also tour the Gardens of Quinta Mazatlan to get ideas and inspiration for your own backyard. In addition to learning how to attract wildlife, you will make your own “hanging mesquite bird feeder” which attracts Great Kiskadees, Green Jays, and other colorful Valley birds.

This spring, the Backyard Habitat Steward program will be hosted on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30am from February 4 through March 10. Registration fee is $60.00 on a first-come-first-served basis. Book your spot now or give the gift of the class to a loved one! Upon completion of Quinta Mazatlan’s Backyard Habitat Steward program, participants will have the knowledge and resources necessary to transform their yard into rich wildlife habitat and have the opportunity to become a Certified Backyard Habitat Steward. We hope to see you there!

You can register for this program by calling 956-681-3370 or by emailingcwilliams@mcallen.net!