I absolutely love this show. I think it is great for young and old alike! I had one question though, is there a VHS/DVD of all of the shows that I can purchase? I would love to have them all! Thanks!!

Good to hear that you love the show! Right now there isn't a way to get the collection on DVD/VCR, but I'll certainly pass that suggestion along. Hopefully we'll get there. Make sure to keep passing the word around to friends and family to watch the the show!

Tony

#1.. I do think this is really a good show !! Really gives me some ideas as to what to do with some or all of this one acre of land I live on. ( Probably toooo many ideas actually )

#2.. Is there any way of finding out how we can get some of the products that were used in some of the past shows ?? For instance yesterdays show ( Jan 6, "06 ) .. something I have been looking for was used..the birdbath/fountain, that particular one would work great out here. Just wondering where I could possibly find one like that ??

Thanks for a great show, I'll be checking this forum often.

Bass

We are faithful watchers of Backyard Habitat on Animal Planet. We have a suggestion. We think that it would be interesting if you go back to some of the yards you have featured to show the development of the plants and the attaction of animals. Just a brief retrospective at the beginning or end of some of your programs would be nice.

Our yard was recently were certified as an Official Wildlife Habitat (No. 59217). We look forward to displaying our outdoor sign when it arrives.

Best wishes,
John & Judy McCain

I have watched the show and love them! One show got my attention and got me wondering since my in-laws live in Southern California. THat show was talking about setting up a nest for bees in Costa Mesa, CA. How do you prevent killer bees from invading and taking over the nest? That show didn't mention that and I thought viewers should be aware about that. Otherwise great show.

quote:

Originally posted by velvet1115:
Wow. I'm glad I found this thread. I have a small backyard that I want to take "wild" with lots of plantings that will attract and safely house lots of wildlife. I guess I'll be watching the show from now on to get ideas.

Welcome! I hope you've gotten a chance to see the show. Let us know if you have questions.

David Mizejewski
Naturalist, National Wildlife Federation
Host, Backyard Habitat on Animal Planet

quote:

Originally posted by wazzguy:
How do you prevent killer bees from invading and taking over the nest?

The bees we focused on were orchard mason bees (Osimia spp.) and western bumble bees (Bombus occidentalis), which are two very different species from honey bees (Apis mellifera).

Honey bees were brought to North America by European colonists, where they escaped cultivation and established themselves in the wild. "Killer bees" are a subspecies of honey bees originally from Africa. These Africanized honey bees are much more aggressive than their European cousins in the defense of their hives. The were introduced to Brazil in the 50s and have spread, interbreeding with wild European honey bees, all the way up into Texas, California, Arizona and New Mexico (and possibly other states).

Neither European or Africanized will use the nesting structures we put in the habitat in that episode, so the homeowners have nothing to worry about there.

Here is a good site for more information: http://bees.ucr.edu/ahb-facts.html

David Mizejewski
Naturalist, National Wildlife Federation
Host, Backyard Habitat on Animal Planet

quote:

Originally posted by cactuspoint:
We have a suggestion. We think that it would be interesting if you go back to some of the yards you have featured to show the development of the plants and the attaction of animals.

We're looking into this idea. Congratulations on your recent certification!

David Mizejewski
Naturalist, National Wildlife Federation
Host, Backyard Habitat on Animal Planet

Hi, I'm 17 and I absoulutely love the show! I'm now planning on putting in plants for wilflife along with feeders and shelter. I lucked out and found out that my area is having a native plant sale. I keep counting the seconds to the sale and spring I enjoy Molly's projects too, they are great ways to get the whole family involved with nature.

Thank you Dave and Molly for such a great show. I get so inspired after watching them. Next spring I plan on doing a Hummingbird and Butterfly garden, I can't wait. I live in Massachusetts, zone6. Could you please list your top 3 best plants for Hummers and 3 best for Buttetflies. Thanks

I love the show, I watch it twice a day. I like the projects that Molly does. I thought the garden stones she did with the kids were great. I have learned so much and gotten many new ideas for my gardens. Keep up the good work.

First time post to this forum, long time Animal Planet watcher. I recently saw the episode about Painted Ladies and Ladybird Beetles. I'd like to point out what I think may be a mistake. You said there are three stages in the butterfly lifecycle, mentioning larva, pupa and (adult) butterfly. I think you forgot where the larva come from, an egg of course. When we teach children about the butterfly lifecycle I like to use the letters E-L-P-A to help them remember. I'm a teacher/naturalist at a local nature center and am also in my fourth season working in the Butterfly Pavilion at the Lincoln Children's Zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Your program and others on the Animal Planet help spur interest in children and adults and help us at zoos and nature centers. Keep up the good work!

Please consider visiting us some time at the Lincoln Children's Zoo where we just opened a new exhibit called My Yard this summer. Lincoln Children's Zoo

The show is great. The animal planet is on all day in my home.

we have a backyard in south florida with 100s of birds, we have about 5 feeders in aa japan garden. we even have an eagle that lives nearby. I got to see it with my 10x50 glasses and the bird is not tagged and is very healthy. With all the birds we feed he has no trouble getting a meal. The eagle had a 36 inch snake the other day flying by.

I love Backyard Habitat! I think it is a great show that appeals to both kids and adults. It's nice to see a show that focuses on the wildlife that surround us on a daily basis and the simple things that we all can do to encourage our successful co-existance. I think it is really important to educate the masses about local wildlife which is so often overlooked and taken for granted. It also helps eliminate peoples fears and misconceptions about certain not so cute and furry animals like bats or bees and why it is beneficial to have them around. I also love that the show creates an awareness and encourages the planting of native plant species. David is fantastic! He is obviously very well educated and has a true passion for wildlife. I do have a couple of suggestion for the show. 1. More new episodes (I would watch the show everyday if I hadn't already seen the repeats 5 times each)2. More live interactions/demonstrations with the animals themselves(even if you have to use captive ones for obvious reasons. 3. Backyard Habitat International. It is so interesting to see how different all the regions in this country are and how the animals are all perfectly adapted to their environment. It would be great to see the backyard habitats and the animals that occupy them all over the world. 4. Having the show air in an after school time slot or early evening. 5. Marketing Backyard Habitat branded do it yourself kits and projects. 6. Oh and I agree with some other peoples comments that you should stress the importance of not using chemicals in yours and gardens not only for the safety of the animals but for people and the planet in general. I hope to see David and Backyard Habitat on air for years to come!

Hello-was wondering how to contact someone on being part of the show and having a habitat installed or enhanced? Thanks!

Hey, Love your show, just some comments for enhancement.

Having "the plan" is great, but it would be helpful if you could just flash on the screen a list of plants you are using, this way it informs me of what to go out and purchase to attract wildlife to my backyard.

Oops one more comment...I forgot the episode, but Dave puts up a 10-12 foot copper pipe as a bird perch. I was thinking of doing this, but something bothered me. At first I thougt that the birds would burn their little feet as copper heats up in the sun, then it hit me.....

Dave, did you ever hear of lightning, personally I don't want to attract that kind of wildlife anywhere near my home. They make PVC pipe which I'm sure would work just as well if not better.

I love this show. I live in Washington and the episode in Bow, Washington on the Pacific Tree Frogs and Western Garter Snakes really helped my backyard, since we have a pond. A nice show really!

quote:

Dave, did you ever hear of lightning, personally I don't want to attract that kind of wildlife anywhere near my home. They make PVC pipe which I'm sure would work just as well if not better.

We chose copper in part because it was more attractive and sculptural than plastic piping would be in such a visible backyard structure. But more importantly, we chose metal over PVC plastic because PVC is environmentally polluting and poses a risk to human health. Here is some more information:

http://www.watoxics.org/issues/vinyl-pvc

David Mizejewski
Naturalist, National Wildlife Federation
Host, Backyard Habitat on Animal Planet

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the 2 prime time hour long Backyard Habitat specials especially the Nashville one with Winona Judd! I want to see more episodes like these two. I also prefer the evening time slot. It makes it easier for the whole family to watch. Maybe you can help Hurricane Katrine victims restore their backyard habitats and/or wild fire victims.