Local residents let nature take over

The landowners aim to create an environment friendly to wildlife.
By THERESA M. HEGEL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
Three area residents prefer to live on the wild side.
No, not by driving too fast or throwing loud parties.
Instead, these three have allowed nature to reclaim a portion of their properties and have devoted themselves and their yards to supporting wildlife.
Jim Marrangoni of Champion, Melissa Stetler of Leetonia and Lydia Hammar of Youngstown all have their back yards certified as National Wildlife Habitats by the National Wildlife Federation.
Marrangoni said that he and his wife, Ren & eacute;, are "committed to try to supply the necessary ingredients to support wildlife" on their three-acre property.
"It's an ongoing process," he said but noted that whenever they make changes to their property, they "do it with nature in mind."
This involves maintaining a chemical-free lawn, he said, putting out bird feeders in summer and winter, planting wildflowers and not discouraging wildlife from making a home in their back yard.
"They can have our three acres, but we get to keep the house," he joked.
A commitment
Stetler said she got certified by the NWF because "I firmly believe we need to take care of our planet, and one person can make a difference."
To encourage wildlife, she said, she's put up bird houses, created a brush pile and planted flowers.
"I just got started, and my yard is nothing to look at right now, but in the next few years, I plan to make it look amazing," she explained.
According to Marrangoni, "having a manicured lawn is not conducive to wildlife."
He said he stopped mowing part of his lawn to let it return to nature.
Right now, the patch of land has a "scrubby look," he said, but he hopes that trees will eventually grow back and provide shelter for animals.
Hammar's back yard mixes untamed elements with man-made features.
She said there is a "lovely path" leading up to a pond her son built. There is also "a gazebo for observation."
Her yard has a profusion of perennials, trees and shrubs, and "way in the back, is an area I keep on the wild side," she said.
"It has branches, leaves and shelter for nesting and food," Hammar said.
Animals will come
Once food, water and shelter have been provided for, the animals soon follow.
Marrangoni said he's observed wild turkeys, pheasants, turtles, frogs, skunks, rabbits, squirrels and other animals in his yard.
"I was excited the first time we saw a snake," Marrangoni said, adding, "My wife was less than excited."
He said the snake was a sign that the ecosystem of his back yard habitat "was starting to balance" because there was enough wildlife on the property to support the animal.
Hammar has also enjoyed the variety of wildlife that visit her back yard. She remembered, in particular, a family of hawks that was learning to fly.
"It was a noisy week in the back yard," she recalled.
hegel@vindy.com