Earth Day: One Child in the Woods… Building a Rabitat
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you;
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.”
Job 12: 7-10
Connor is more at home in the woods than just about anywhere on this beautiful Earth, with the possible exception of on a farm. In the woods he runs, climbs, jumps, searches, observes, and enjoys… and if those woods happen to have a creek or a stream… or perhaps a mud puddle… even better!
Skipping along the rocks in the creek.
We spent Earth Day 2010 outside, enjoying the lovely spring weather and the fresh greenery while building a habitat for the local rabbits, birds, and chipmunks living in the woods around Gulf Branch Nature Center in Arlington.
Connor and his new friends building a rabitat.
After his habitat building lesson at Gulf Branch, Connor is excited to try his hand at making a brush pile in the wooded area behind our house. He’s already planning out its location, what materials to use, and how to convince his brother to help him with the building. He is hoping a rabbit will make the brush pile its new home; after all, he’s been asking, unsuccessfully, for a pet rabbit for at least three years now. Not one to be deterred, he’s thrilled that he has finally found a way around Mom and Dad’s persistent, “No rabbits!”
Want to build your own rabitat, also called a brush pile, for the little inhabitants in a wooded area near your home? It’s easy!
Brush piles have two basic components: a base and a brushy top. Base materials can be stones, logs, an old hollow log, or even an old pipe or two.
So, to start, find an old hollow log, some big rocks or logs, or even an old pipe or two, anything that will help create a run-through area for small animals such as rabbits and birds, but will keep dogs, foxes, and coyote out.
Next, pile on small logs, followed by large sticks, smaller sticks, and branches with leaves. Then poke some leaves into the crevices to make it nice and cozy, to protect the small animals from the rain, and to keep out predators. As you pile the brush, be sure to place the branches at different angles and directions to ensure the materials lock together and form air spaces.
Oh, and remember to leave an entry space and an exit hole large enough for the small animals like rabbits, but small enough to keep out predators.
The finished shelter should be at least 4 feet tall – and as tall as 6 to 8 feet tall – to provide a sturdy, protective habitat for its inhabitants.
If you do try building your own rabitat, I’d love to hear how it goes… AND what moves in! Be sure to come back and leave a comment or a link to your own post.
For the beauty of the earth… Happy Earth Day!