Don't get me wrong, I love Koi. I frequently visit my friend's pond
to admire hers, but there is also a special satisfaction in researching
what is native to an area and watching it thrive. And then the `treasure
hunt' of seeing what critters it will attract. We've had a fox, over 40
species of birds, dozens of dragonflies, and frogs galore come to live
in our pond. To go to a list of the animals that have visited our wildlife
pond, click on this true saying: If you build a pond,
they will come!
A Wildlife Pond essentially is a pond planted 
with
native plants in order to attract wildlife. Sometimes I'm asked, `Should
I go collect frogs or caddisfly larva, etc. to get started?' The answer is
"NO!". The way to attract wildlife is to provide habitat for them.
Without the correct habitat, animals won't have the essentials to
survive or enjoy themselves in your pond.
We only introduced one animal species to our pond, and that was
the fish, and as of the year 2000, I am no longer advocating their use. What we
have are Gambusia, a native fish that at maturity are
about the size of a minnow. You may know them by their common
name: mosquito fish. Here in California you can get them free through
the Mosquito Abatement Agency. They have completely controlled the
mosquito population (in fact we have less now than before we had the
pond!).
We like to `pretend' they were little trout fingerlings! BUT, after a few years,
we have come to realize that not only are they eating the mosquitoes, but also
the Tree Frog eggs and the dragonfly eggs/larvae. Therefore I now recommend that
before trying mosquito fish, you give 'mosquito dunks' a try. They are a
floating 'donut' of a certain bacteria (Bt) that ONLY infects and kills mosquito
larvae. It is NOT the same as the Bt that is strayed on foliage to control
budworms and will not kill caterpillars or dragonflies or other critters. You
can buy/order them thru many pond/gardening supply shops/on-line sites.
So how do you create a wildlife pond?
The steps are simple:
1. Choose to give a priority to wildlife.
2. Design your pond with a shallow beach area (so animals may enter and exit easily).
4. Research which plants are native to your area.
5. Build your pond.
6. Provide areas of sunlight and shade; deep & shallow areas of water.
7. Furnish a transition from pond to yard with a bog &/or planted beds adjacent to the pond.
9. Use the same techniques of covering 2/3 area with floating plants and 1/3 of bottom with underwater plants as normal to control algae.
9. Don't be too fastidious about cleaning.
To find out what plants are native to your area, check out the Native
Plant Society, go to the library, use the Internet, &/or ask
your local pond nursery person. We were able to collect almost all of
our plants along roadside ditches, thereby keeping our costs to a
minimum. Never collect plants in a park or on private property without
gaining permission first. Never take a plant that is not abundant at the
site. Many of the common pond plants are native Americans, many
more are native to North America. The closer the native region of the
plants you use to your pond, the more wildlife you will be able to
attract.
A few examples of native American water plants are Arrowhead,
Blue Flag Iris, Water Calla, Horsetail, Cattail, Lizard's Tail (lots of
tails!), Lobelia, Marsh Marigold, Pennywort, Pickerel Blue, Creeping
Water Primrose, Water Forget-me-
not, Parrot's Feather, Monkey
Flower, Indian Rhubarb, Cardinal Flower, Golden Club, Water Cress,
Water Plantain (Alisma), and many others.
Common plants used in bogs and around ponds that are American
natives include Douglas Iris, Dogwood, wild Ginger, Leopard Lily,
Penstemon, Sword Fern, Five-finger Fern, Deer Fern, Foxglove,
Trillium, ...I could go on for pages!
So, if you think you would enjoy having a pond that attracts wildlife, is
beautiful, contributes some replacement for our dwindling wetlands, provides
hours of entertain- ment, education and relaxation, costs less to build
and maintain than a koi pond, then please do consider a wildlife pond.