Dragonflies and damselflies are the most conspicuous, appealing, and easily recognized residents of almost any freshwater habitat, and a visit to most ponds in spring, summer or fall is often rewarded by the sight of these brilliantly colored insects in pursuit of prey or a potential mate. The buzz of these agile fliers is just part of the collective symphony of pond wildlife, and can be accompanied by the chirping of birds, a croaking chorus of frogs, the droning hum of a bumble bee, and the splash of a basking turtle returning to the safety of the water. Ponds provide living space for a diverse assemblage of wildlife, and creating, protecting, and restoring ponds provides essential habitat for dragonflies, damselflies, and other animals in landscapes where wetlands are increasingly scarce or absent. To help homeowners and other landowners create their own backyard pond habitat, the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership has released Backyard Ponds: Guidelines for Creating and Managing Habitat for Dragonflies and Damselflies.

This new guide provides information on ways to create, manage, and maintain backyard habitat to attract dragonflies and damselflies, along with other pond-dwelling wildlife, with straightforward directions for planning, siting, digging, planting, and maintaining a backyard pond. The guide outlines ways to include a variety of submerged, emergent, and floating vegetation that provides places for dragonflies and damselflies to hunt, perch, patrol, mate, and lay eggs, and includes suggestions for pond-side plantings to provide shelter from excessive heat or storms. You may even decide to install a nearby wildflower garden that can sustain the smaller insects on which adult dragonflies feed while also providing food and shelter for butterflies and bees.