Wanted to share a video that I came across recently by globally renowned British artist and wildlife filmmaker, Robert E Fuller, who created a habitat for local wildlife by building a pond. Watching this video brought me so much joy and it has inspired my partner and I to follow Fuller’s lead.

Check out Fuller’s other live nest cams.

As a gardener, I could take two different approaches to wildlife in my garden — fight or embrace wildlife. I know that wildlife plays a vital role in gardens and the broader ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity and the health of natural cycles. That doesn’t mean we don’t shed a tear when a squirrel takes a bite out of every tomato on a healthy vine or a rabbit munching on a handful of everbearing strawberries. And although I curse the deer (shown below) who ate my apple trees, they too play a role in the broader ecosystem. More on this in tomorrow’s post.

• Birds, bees, butterflies, and other creatures are essential pollinators, ensuring the reproduction of flowering plants and food crops.
• Predatory insects and animals help manage pest populations, reducing the need for chemical interventions.
• Wildlife also contributes to soil health—earthworms aerate the soil while decomposers, like fungi and insects, recycle organic matter into nutrients.

A garden that supports wildlife becomes a mini-ecosystem, fostering interdependent relationships between plants and animals.

By creating habitats with native plants, water sources, and shelter, gardeners can support these critical species, promoting ecological balance and resilience while enriching their outdoor spaces with life and movement.

That said, I still may at times curse at our resident deer when she chomps on my trees.