Now that winter is here and cold, icy or rainy days can occur, it is time to assess backyard gardens to see how wildlife-friendly they are - or could be - with a little help.

Since 1973, the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat program has been helping people across America to save a place for wildlife right in their own backyards. By providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young, backyard gardners can make a difference.

During the colder months, most critters are gearing up for Spring by searching for high energy food, reliable water sources for drinking and bathing, and safe shelters from harsh weather and predators. Winter gardeners can provide these needed habitat elements for those creatures that stay active all winter, such as the tufted titmouse, robin, cedar waxwing, eastern cottontail rabbit, racccon, squirrel, and even the occasional gray fox, as well as the hibernating critters we tend to forget about during the cold months, like reptiles, amphibians and even insects.

The easiest and best way to offer winter food for wildlife is by planting vegetation that produces berries, nuts or seeds. A few examples of good winter wildlife plants include the pecan, oak, bald cypress, persimmon, dogwood, juniper, deciduous holly and the evergreen yaupon trees.

Consider planting native grasses such as little bluestream as opposed to common turf grasses like Saint Augustine and Bermuda grass. Leave seed heads on perennials such as salvias, purple coneflowers and penstemons rather than deadheading them - this will provide visual interest in a winter garden and feed the wildlife at the same time.

Many mammals and bird species depend on these plant foods for sustenance. Remember to use plants that are native to your area - they will adapt to your soil and climate conditions, and are the best way to provide habitat for wildlife. Once established, native plants require less water and fertilizer, making them watershed-friendly landscaping choices, contributing less pollution to the rivers and streams.

Bird feeders, of course, see the most activity in winter when natural foods are scarce. High-calorie foods like black-oil sunflower seed and suet can provide enough energy to help birds through cold winter nights. Suet is a favorite of nuthatches and elusive brown creeper. Place feeders where they will be protected from the wind and are close to the house for easy viewing. Remember to keep feeders clean to protect birds from the spread of disease caused by moldy seed or seed contaminated by droppings. Feeders can also provide food for squirrels and field mice - and even indirectly provide for predators like foxes and owls that might feed on smaller, seed-eating creatures.

Providing cover from cold winter weather and predators is equally important for backyard critters - especially in new suburban developments where the land has been cleared of vegetation. Planting native evergreens such as oaks, wax myrtles, evergreen sumacs and pines can provide this much needed cover. If they pose no hazard, dead trees can be left standing to provide safe cavities for wildlife, including pileated woodpeckers and flying squirrels. You can also install winter roosting boxes. Plans for roosting boxes are available from many books and can be purchased from your local bird shop. Putting out new birdhouses in the winter assures that they will be weathered and available for early nesting birds.

Winter is also a great time to create a brush pile. By collecting yard debis like branches, twigs and fallen leaves, you can create cover for birds and small mammals like rabbits, and at the same time offer a hibernation place for some species of turtles, salamanders and insects. The mouring cloak butterfly, for example, over-winters as an adults in woody debris and may use your brush pile. Many butterfly species and other insects will lay their eggs or over-winter as pupae in brush piles. Fallen leaves can also be used as mulch to protect plant roots from freezing temperatures, or composted and used as organic fertilizer next summer.

Water can be scarce for wildlife in winter when natural sources are frozen. While most creratures are seeking drinking water, birds are looking for bathing water. A bird bath may attract more kinds of birds than a bird feeder. Bathing helps birds to stay warm by keeping their insulating feathers in tip-top condition. Keeping your bird bath clean and free from ice will help birds and other creatures to survive the winter. Heated bird baths, which keep the water just warm enough to keep from freezing and using little electricity, can also be purchased.

Winter is the time for backyard wildlife watchers to brush up on their identification skills. Keep a field guide and a pair of binoculars at hand to help identify your winter visitors. Practice identifying trees and other plants while they are dormant and without leaves. This is also the time to take the kids on a neighborhood "nature walk". Take time to notice the beautiful bark and branching patterns revealed after the leaves have fallen. Looking for birds, bird nests, and insect galls is also easier in the winter when bare branches expose them. Look for nests and galls in shrubs and low trees and along the edges of fields and clearings.

Finally, winter is the time to plan ahead for next year. So, look around your property for places where berrying shrubs can provide food, evergreen trees and a brush pile can provide cover, and a bird bath or flowing pond can provide water in the years to come.

To find out how to get your yard certified as an official Bakyard Wildlife Habitat, check out National Wildlife Federation's Web site at www.nwf.org/habitats or call 1-800-822-1919.