If you're looking for ways to attract wildlife to your backyard, help is now available.

The Fayette County Extension Service in cooperation with the Georgia Wildlife Federation, is providing assistance to individuals, families and organizations wishing to establish their backyards, school yards or office landscapes as wildlife habitats.

Volunteers trained as habitat stewards are available to guide you in your quest to attract wildlife such as songbirds, pollinators and butterflies to your backyard. These areas provide the perfect place for children, as well as adults, to observe and learn about native Georgia plants and wildlife, said an Extension Service spokesman. Volunteers are available to speak to groups about creating habitats or to help individuals plan, create or bring back to life a planting site.

Wildlife habitats fit on all size lots and provide all the elements needed for survival: food, water, shelter and space.

By establishing a wildlife habitat using native plants, maintenance costs are reduced, less water is needed, mowing time is reduced, while increasing the beauty and enjoyment of the area, said the spokesman.

The size of the planting area is up to you and can easily be increased in future years.

For information phone call the Fayette County Extension Service at 770-460-5730, extension 5412.