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Officially, it's where the wild things are

The Naylors' dream of a retirement among nature's critters garners them a wildlife habitat award.

By MOISES MENDOZA
Published July 19, 2006

HOMOSASSA - Richard and Brenda Naylor decided they wanted to live the retired life in nature two years ago. So they bought a 2.5-acre plot in Homosassa and built a house.

But while the area behind their home featured large trees and plants, the Naylors didn't see many animals.

It took a year, but the Naylors, originally from Pinellas County, have turned their once empty back yard into a wildlife preserve of sorts.

Late last year, little critters started appearing. There were snakes, a fox, raccoons, gophers and squirrels. There's even an armadillo or two.

It wasn't that hard to get them there, according to Richard Naylor, 63. He just had to put out food and water.

Now the wooded area behind the house teems with plant and animal life, so much so that's it has been recognized as a "wildlife habitat site" by the National Wildlife Federation.

The award recognizes people whose yards and gardens are friendly to wildlife. The Naylors get a yard sign and certificate to show their neighbors on South Bascombe Avenue, which is close to County Road 490.

But the Naylors aren't resting on their laurels. Brenda, 63, wants to build a tree fort for their grandchildren. Richard wants a storage shed.

The Naylors mostly value their time together and the knowledge that their back yard has become a hot spot for Citrus County's critters.

"We always wanted a little bit of land and some privacy," Richard Naylor said. "We always loved the wildlife."

Moises Mendoza can be reached at mmendoza@sptimes.com or 860-7337.

[Last modified July 18, 2006, 22:37:53]