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Wildlife by Design

Designing landscapes that support birds, pollinators, and seasonal life in Seattle and Camano Island

Wildlife by Design is a landscape design approach rooted in the understanding that gardens are not static displays. They are living systems that change with the seasons, respond to climate, and provide habitat for wildlife that already shares our neighborhoods.

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In Seattle and on Camano Island, this means designing landscapes that do more than look beautiful in summer. It means considering where birds shelter during winter storms, how pollinators find food when little is in bloom, and how amphibians move through gardens during wet months. Thoughtful plant selection, layered structure, seasonal continuity, and restraint all play a role.

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Wildlife-supportive landscapes don’t require wilderness or large properties. They require intention. A garden can be refined, well-crafted, and ecologically responsive at the same time. Wildlife by Design explores how those principles come together through real gardens, seasonal observations, and practical design decisions that support both people and wildlife year-round.

Winter gardens don’t happen by accident. Neither do wildlife-friendly ones.

Birds​

Birds are often the most visible sign that a landscape is functioning well. In thoughtfully designed gardens, birds rely on structure, shelter, water, and seasonal food sources long after flowers fade. Layered planting and restraint during maintenance allow landscapes to support birds year-round, including during winter and nesting season.

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Topics explored include:

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Pollinators

Pollinators depend on more than flowers alone. Continuous bloom cycles, host plants, undisturbed soil, and shelter all influence whether bees and other pollinators can persist beyond a single season. Well-designed landscapes balance visual refinement with ecological continuity.

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Topics explored include:

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  • Winter-blooming plants that support early pollinators​

  • Host plants and specialist bees

  • Designing layered, pollinator-supportive plant palettes

Seasonal Structure & Winter Habitat

Winter reveals how well a landscape is designed. Structure, shelter, and continuity become more important than flowers alone. Leaving seed heads, fallen leaves, and woody material in place supports wildlife while still maintaining a composed, intentional garden.

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Topics explored include:

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Amphibians

Amphibians are among the most sensitive indicators of environmental health. Moisture, ground cover, and habitat connectivity all influence whether they can survive in developed landscapes. Even small gardens can play a role when water movement and chemical use are thoughtfully managed.

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Topics explored include:

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