Wildlife Federation recognizes Nipomo woman for her hobby

A backyard refuge nearly 43 years in the making earned Nipomo resident Jackie Hobe recognition by the National Wildlife Federation.

The foundation proclaimed her one-acre slice of heaven a certified wildlife habitat.

“Every day I walk out here and I think about how lucky I am,” said Hobe, who also owns and operates Hobe's Dog Camp on the property.

Every morning, she tips up to

11 pounds of bird seed into the dozens of feeders placed strategically near ivy-encrusted birdbaths, under sprawling oak trees, beside a bubbling waterfall and in a small citrus grove.

“I never thought I'd have this,” the energetic octogenarian said, spreading her hand to indicate the manicured backyard. “Well, it has me, actually, because I'm a slave to it.”

Indeed, though well into her 80s, Hobe spends most of each day tending to the yard, her dogs and the wild birds her husband, Frank, held so dear. Hobe's husband passed away four years ago.

“Just about the last words out of his mouth were, ‘Take care of my birds.' I made a promise and I intend to stick by it as long as I can,” Hobe said.

The Nipomo property is among more than 85,000 habitats nationwide recognized by the National Wildlife Federation since it began the program in 1973.

They range in description from urban balconies to thousand-acre sites, homes to schools, hospitals to community parks and places of worship.

The goal of the program is to help teach the rewards of gardening for wildlife, including conservation of resources.

In order to become certified, a property must provide the four basic elements that all wildlife need: food, water, cover and places to raise young. It must also employ sustainable gardening practices.

Hobe's habitat, nominated anonymously for the recognition, includes a combination of native and non-native species, drought-resistant plants and others selected specifically for attracting birds and butterflies.

All were selected because they tickled her fancy.

“If you're going to spend this much time and energy in a place, you have to plant what you like,” she said. “Plant it for its fragrance or its color or because it brings particular wildlife to your yard or a smile to your face.”

Take the pepper trees that surround the southern edge of the property, for example.

“When I was in grade school, I spent hours under the pepper trees,” she explained. “I always told myself that I'd have pepper trees of my own someday, so the first thing I planted when we moved in here were those trees.”

Since then, she's added native oaks raised from acorns collected along Nipomo's byways. Over the decades, they have flourished to offer dappled shade for Hobe and nesting and feeding sites for birds.

Crocosmia flourish in a sea of ivy planted by her late husband. There's manzanita and syca-more, alyssum and various ferns.

“It was supposed to be low-maintenance, but I've never worked so hard in my life,” she said.

Although it might sound like a complaint, Hobe doesn't see the daily workload as a chore. In fact, when she's not digging a watering trench around the base of a newly planted tree or replanting, weeding or trimming, more than likely she's taking a rare breather in the fern-lined gazebo by the pond.

“I read here. I nap here. I just like to be outside and listen to the water and watch the birds,” she said. “And if there's rain or thunder, you bet I'm out here enjoying it.”

As a flock of birds lifted off in thundering unison of flapping wings, a huge smile crossed her face. She threw her arms out wide.

“Nature. You've got to love her,” she said.

September 10, 2007