Transforming a Pine Plantation into Wildlife Paradise (ep.1)

Year two has officially begun on The Wildlife Homestead, and we're starting it by converting a pine plantation to a diverse, productive forest.
If you'd like to support the channel and all of the projects:
/ @stefanoianiro
New to the channel? Checkout this playlist with some of my favorite in-the-field and wildlife photography tutorial videos ▶ geni.us/BestVideos
I'll be donating a portion of the AdSense earned this month to the following charity:
Birds Canada ▶ www.birdscanada.org/give
PHOTO GEAR
GREAT Noise Reduction Software ▶ geni.us/Topaz
Sharpen Your Photos ▶ geni.us/sharpen
My Main Camera ▶ geni.us/alpha1cam
My Video Camera ▶ geni.us/WdpB
WILDLIFE Lens ▶ geni.us/sg99l7
Monopod ▶ geni.us/gitzomono
Monopod Head ▶ geni.us/Wimberley
Wide-Angle Lens ▶ geni.us/17-28
MACRO Lens ▶ geni.us/90mm
MUST HAVE Camera Strap ▶ geni.us/sluAsKY
Rain Sleeve ▶ geni.us/Stpy
Camera Bag ▶ geni.us/cRZgtj
VIDEO GEAR
Where I Get My MUSIC/Sound Effects (Get 2 Extra Months) ▶ geni.us/musicvid1
Main Trail Camera ▶ geni.us/TrailCamera
4K Trail Camera ▶ geni.us/4kTrail
Tripod ▶ geni.us/tripodInn
Tripod Head ▶ geni.us/502AH
Mic ▶ geni.us/KcJO2
Camera Monitor ▶ geni.us/atomosnin
My Video Gimbal ▶ geni.us/G4kfBf
Field Recorder ▶ geni.us/ZoomH
For Business Inquiries: [e-mail]
#WildlifeHomestead #Wildlife #Birding
Stefano Ianiro, Nature Homestead, Wildlife Homestead, Bird Photography, Wildlife Photography, Behind-the-Scenes, Wildlife Photography Behind-the-Scenes, Wildlife Filmmaking, Wildlife Documentary, Nature Documentary.
-------
The above may contain affiliate links. Please consider buying from your local camera store before purchasing through larger retailers. Thank you and Happy Birding!

[@stevencanden2911]

Every time Stefano releases a video it feels like Christmas 👏🙏

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

Nahhh, it's 1000 times better than Christmas. 🙂

[@samuelhayley3149]

Went to the comments to say the same!

[@elizabethduplat5998]

100%

[@vinagnihotri]

absolutely

[@mjsvitek]

It's better than Christmas because my bank account doesn't cry

[@visitinggoat6696]

The birds sitting in your hand must feel magical

[@roseanneroseannadanna9651]

A bird sitting and shitting in your hand feels real! 😁😎

[@FulviusDecimusMeridius]

Dr. Tenma vibes

[@LoolaFoos]

Stefano is a real life Disney princess ✨

[@KitsuneFruit12]

No, Princess Emoji whistled Twitter to death.

[@AlphasysNl]

Amazing to see how a little care increases wildlife diversity, basically instantly.

[@pixelmaster98]

while I generally agree with your statement, I think we can safely conclude that describing the care shown in this video as "little" is an understatement :D

[@critiqueofthegothgf]

@@pixelmaster98 little in the sense that he is one person and this isn't a huge community or federal project consisting of a large group of people and planners. it is 'little' and that's okay

[@wildwithsoren]

As a biologist/ornithologist myself this is by far the best content I could have ever wished for! Awesome work Stefano! Can't wait to see everything take shape. 👏🏼

[@sixtine9856]

As a student who want to be ornithologist, do you know what I should do ?

[@wildwithsoren]

@@sixtine9856 There's a few routes you can take. I personally didn't know I wanted to be an ornithologist and just did a regular biology degree in uni. I got really hooked on birds through volunteering (bird banding stations, local conservation organisations, ...) and through that landed a few internships and through one of those internships a job as a full time ornithologist. I would say most importantly get outside, get familiar with your local birds and learn how to ID them (especially their calls and songs). That's a skill highly sought after for environmental assessment studies and monitorings. Lots of people can live off that kind of work as freelance ornithologists for example. Otherwise I can only suggest to get on eBird, contact local birders, tag along with them and learn from them. Some universities also offer ornithology classes/courses either as a full degree or as part of a biology/environmental science degree. That's just my personal experience. Depending where you are from I'm sure there's multiple routes how you could end up as an ornithologist. Hope that helps :)

[@FlintSanadaa]

I'm literally just rewatch the 1 hour video while thinking 'been a while since new video huh?' and new vid just dropped 😂🙏🏻

[@StefanoIaniro]

Haha, great timing!!

[@abctv9507]

​@@StefanoIaniroplease, try to upload more often. From Ethiopia.

[@fooxfoxminecraft9318]

Lol, the same thing happened to me!

[@AKnightPoweredbySriHari]

​@@StefanoIaniro I really wish if you could make a video in India about its natural wildlife.... 😊 I can assure you you will get quite a nice amount of views😊😊😊 Hari Hari shar 💐💐💐💐

[@sjk714gamerz]

@@AKnightPoweredbySriHari subcontinent have really beautiful wildlife love india from pakistan

[@Alyx0.2]

Hey, glad you are back. Life is as life goes. Your videos though are a constant source of kind calmness. Thank you.

[@StefanoIaniro]

Glad you enjoy them, thank you!

[@cranederoc]

It's the kind of series I wished I discovered a few years late so I wouldn't have to wait for the next video ^^ looking forward to future updates

[@StefanoIaniro]

Excited to share the updates!

[@rowdyjoshy1798]

thats how i feel right now :(

[@aeas09]

You know watching these videos has really made me care about the environments around me. At some point, I'd like to do something similar to what you are doing. You're an inspiration! Great video, as always. Ps: im so glad you're including a flower meadow for pollinators!! It's an amazing idea and also a very healthy one!!

[@StefanoIaniro]

That's so great to hear, I wish you luck on your future projects. I'm really excited about the meadow, as well

[@rwild9356]

If you're ever interested in this sort of thing, r/NativePlantGardening is a great resource

[@aspi53]

On some of the pines you will let stand, you should strip the bark in a circle around the trunk. This create standing dead wood which is very important for nesting animals.

[@StefanoIaniro]

Already did that over the winter! It’ll be in an upcoming episode 🙂

[@aspi53]

@@StefanoIaniro Wonderful :D I really enjoy your videos. Great commentary and amazing footage

[@thepaperlulu]

The joy I get when you upload is unparalleled. My husband has stage4 cancer and joy can be hard to hold onto, so thank you so much for these videos. 🧡🧡🧡

[@StefanoIaniro]

So sorry to hear, I’m glad I can brighten your day ❤️

[@Fancysymbol]

This video captures my dream. I work day after day in hopes of saving enough money one day to purchase a meaningfully sized plot and manage it into a sustainable natural oasis. Inspiring to see I'm not alone in this drive

[@mschmidt62]

Any size can be meaningful. I have 2/3 of a cedar-infested acre in Washington now, but planting natives and providing water on my postage-stamp patch in Southern California helped a lot of wildlife there.

[@TheGeewitch]

Twoey is right, you're a good human!

[@prashantranjan6022]

Stefano is the 'One man army' we all need.

[@sloppytoppy3000]

The fact you’re doing this makes me cry so much. I often lose faith in humanity but you remind me I’m not alone in caring about animals and wildlife, and you motivate me to push myself to get my dream of owning land and creating a safe space for nature.

[@energyy3737]

He’s back!!!

[@barbarastellman3764]

At 82, I'm finally beginning to learn and to understand what I couldn't find time for until now. Thank You!

[@duckypam]

I can't wait to see what happens next. Thank you for sharing your progress and for making better habitat for flora and fauna

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thanks!

[@Dryish]

As a SustSci graduate and an avid birdwatcher, I love everything that you're doing. You're basically living out my dream, haha. Thanks for the awe-inspiring content as always, Stefano. Cheers from hemiboreal Finland.

[@dianne11ca]

This is wonderful! I could watch all day. Cannot wait for the next episode! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you are doing on this precious patch of land.

[@skysthelimitvideos]

Return of the king

[@K2Pappy]

Let’s gooooo! Def was wondering where the best wildlife KZbinr been

[@StefanoIaniro]

Very kind, thank you!

[@doubledee8677]

Hooray, I've been eagerly anticipating the next update. Phenomenal stuff as ever.

[@dinocat8]

Missed seeing your property progress! So happy about the new upload 💜

[@CorpusSans]

No words can express how much happiness I felt just by watching this video.

[@changingpeopleslivesmoon2993]

YES YOUR BACK

[@LV12800]

Such a treat to see a new video posted! Stefano's work just thrills me. One of my favorite channels. Brings me so much hope watching him revitalize and regenerate the land for all of mother nature. So heartwarming and inspiring and fills me with so much joy. Bless you Stefano, and bless the work of your hands. ❤❤❤

[@tis_i_manchie]

LET'S GO, STEFANO'S BACK!!

[@kiko7247]

You never fail to amaze me. Your skill to convey in every detail the beauty of Nature is fenomenal.

[@bakerfx4968]

I cannot wait to see how this turns out over the summer! Thanks for the updates my dude! We’re here for it!

[@Matt_H2O]

Delighted to see a video pop up here. 💖💖🕊🕊

[@89cw]

Always the best to wake up and find a Stefano video! Thanks for always giving me something to look forward to, was getting worried we'd seen then end of this channel. Hope you are well!

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thanks! Everything is going well, hope you’re doing well too!

[@89cw]

@@StefanoIaniro Doing very well, thank you! Looking forward to your next update. Be well!

[@LBUKid01]

I've been watching your for about 2 years and I am still so impressed with your work. The way you shoot videos of animal behavior while incorporating trail cams creates a very interesting narrative. I also admire your efforts into fixing your land to better accommodate more animals. They way you are improving the pine barren is honestly pretty revolutionary and maybe more national and state parks should copy your example.

[@energyy3737]

My current goal is to hand feed a wild bird, seeing you able to in your videos gives me more hope

[@rugvedkulkarni1593]

Not as hard as you may think. If you have chickadees in your area put out some feed for them and they will come.

[@Bird_On_A_Tree]

I didn't expect a so good video this morning... i woke up and when i go on youtube, I see a video of one of my favorites youtubers!

[@StefanoIaniro]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@wrise8471]

Your videos make me smile! It's amazing what you are doing, and I hope many are inspired to do this too! We need more people to care as much as you do! What a wonderful thing you are doing! I can't wait to see more!

[@tomoudeveldhuis8260]

Your homestead series is turning into such a great story. Each video makes me long for the moment I can start working on my own little patch of land.

[@purplexninjamom]

Your life is so far removed from anything I can ever hope to achieve. At the same time, I look at this and enjoy. I marvel. I´m in awe of the work you do, and of the results. Thank you. 🌲🌲🌲💚

[@fast8536]

always a joy to see you upload! I cannot overstate how happy your videos make me

[@redraids5394]

You're getting more popular but still underrated as heck. Honestly, my favorite channel on KZbin. You tick all the boxes

[@summer-7968]

absolute favourite series on youtube by far

[@wetsyenoch7831]

It is wonderful to watch the changes you are making on your property and nature is immediately accepting them and replicating is like teaching a new trick to a pet.

[@bsnufkin929]

Can't wait to see the meadow in full bloom!

[@javahne4007]

Great to have you back again, Stefano! Looking forward to the updates in the video

[@flight007keith2]

You, my friend, have the spirit of Adam (The first Earth Caretaker). So awesome to watch!

[@drb996]

Every time I watch a rewilding video my heart slows down and my hope for the future generations increases ❤

[@PeopleAreFish]

What a fantastic project with wonderful footage

[@captainmoky]

Yahoo! I'm so pleased you are back

[@HomemadeEcosystems]

This is awesome! I don't know if there is any scientific research to back this but I have always believed that transferring some soil from a ''good'' diverse forest to this pine forest will help with the establishment of a diverse ecosystem by introducing a lot of beneficial microorganisms. In any case can't wait to see what this forest turns into!

[@desireeguidry3754]

Great Narration. Voice is not annoying. Makes watching the videos a joy.

[@johnson_t]

I really love your videos. I first watch your video 2 years ago. You inspired me a lot in taking care of environment. I wish i have a huge place so that i can build a place where birds and other animals can live peacefully without any fear of human. Love from Manipur, India❤❤

[@ptiteval13]

Merci! Merci! C'est tellement bon pour mon coeur❣

[@YtLucaFn]

Let’s gooooooo!!!!!!❤🎉

[@kantemirovskaya1lightninga30]

I agree with all the comments-Stefano's timing on video drops is perfect!

[@Jay-oz2rr]

Yay, welcome back Stefano!

[@polishdragon4853]

we need more people like you in this world, trying to create beautiful enviroments, instead of taking away the beauty of nature like most humans do, you give it beauty, keep up your amazing work, you make the world a better place. I never could have imagined that cutting down trees can actually create beautiful habitats. All of these birds are so adorable, and so was the snakey. I am really interested to how it will end up looking, i shall watch every single episode of this series.

[@MySelfReliance]

Great video. Looks like you’re roughly in the same area as me with the same vision. Looking forward to seeing more!

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thanks! We're just east of you in Quebec, so there's a lot of species overlap. Hope your projects are going well, it'll be exciting to see the results!

[@waylonk2453]

Seeing the overhead shots of the pine log trails and brush piles really puts in perspective how much work you've done on this place. Bravo!

[@swagboiaxolotl]

I can't even express how much joy and peace these videos bring me. As always, thank you!

[@stevenkeller3047]

Welcome back. Good to see the progress. You've been a busy boy. I think your ideas have merit. Can't wait to see how things develop. All the best.

[@tytyguy22]

I am so happy to have this channel back. Thanks Stefano for documenting this journey!

[@waynearchibald3920]

Hard work yet very satisfying! Thanks for sharing!

[@blakeaschultz3235]

There’s no one I get this excited about when I see a new video pop up!

[@thisisme1999]

So happy to see the post! You are living my dream! I hate seeing monoculture, BC has few forests left most of what was logged was just replaced with giant tree farms. Years ago, I knew a guy who use to gather wildflower seed and tree seeds and would walk through some of these monocultures spreading the seed. Not sure how well it worked but it made him feel like he was contributing in a positive way.

[@StefanoIaniro]

That’s a great idea! Especially if doing it early on, the trees haven’t grown enough to close the canopy, so I’m sure a lot of the seeds he threw would do well initially.

[@MichieHoward]

Thank you for existing, thank you so much!

[@sherriianiro747]

Welcome back! Love your ideas and the yellow bellied sapsuckers will thank you for leaving some of those pines! The ones here bypass the deciduous trees and go straight to the pines to drill for insects - love their patterns! 😊

[@BeckyM87]

Absolutely superb work. The world needs more people like you. I am loving watching the journey of your homestead. Thank you for sharing it

[@zandergray4945]

This series is going to be awesome, can’t wait for more

[@remaaviation7179]

One of the best channels on KZbin. It is always great to get an update on your projects.

[@andrewromero5008]

What you're doing is so good. I hope I can do half as much when I retire.

[@jenswikstrom7104]

Very therapeutic to watch

[@aliecarey]

Yay! Always such a nice suprise to see an update from you ❤ Looking forward to the next one 😀

[@cafinalendgame]

I love this man and his life. What an exhilarating feeling.

[@civet-coffee4442]

always so happy to see an update on the homestead!! your vids are so inspiring, i would just love to have a big enough property to do similar projects sometime in the future

[@TheBlueMoo]

Always a treat! Never seen many of these birds before! 🥰

[@joentjee8405]

Yooo, im glad you're back, missed the bird videos

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!

[@garvavaidya]

Just looking for an update on the forest eagerly! The videos you make give us the viewers so much joy! Good work Stef 🧡👏

[@Tay66.]

I started to watch you two years ago exactly when you moved. I don’t know how that was like it confused how that was but you get what I’m trying to say.

[@the-reading-lemon]

I love the care and love you put into your land. Diversifying this patch of forest is going to be huge for the wildlife. I hope seeing your documentation of your approach and findings will encourage others to follow suit. ❤

[@MDestron2282]

So happy to see and update and I can't wait to see all the improvements and potential new wildlife visitors this season. You're doing amazing work!

[@sp6213]

not only are your videos beautiful and calming, they are also very educational to me, providing really good insight into how animals and plants react to modifications to the environment

[@evanrobison567]

Definitely looking forward to all the changes coming this year!

[@shadow_glaive9220]

I am so looking forward to seeing the forests progression into a wildlife haven!

[@petracollins8623]

So glad you are back with a new video.

[@Danthemanlet]

These videos are always such high quality! Love when there's a new video from Stefano, well worth the wait

[@c.a.parker5036]

Looking forward to seeing how the meadows develop and also the amphibian pond! Lovely wildlife footage as always ❤ Thank you, Stefano.

[@AnneJutras]

Ooooh! Love how you create new wildlife nature on your property. Great work Stefano! Can't wait to see what's next...

[@JoJo-vz5uy]

So happy you got the property. Wildlife need all the help they can get!

[@kynasnyder7646]

Your commitment to nature and the environment, your creativity, just make my heart sing. Thank you.

[@andreaissys828]

I remember watching a video about reintroducing beaver dams to revitalize an ecosystem- and they brought up pine lumber plantations there as well. There’s another effect besides the dense lack of ground cover- the run off from all the pine needles can be pretty acidic, which can harm the aquatic ecosystems around it. I’m excited to see how this project goes, and am glad to see you not only doing due diligence but trying to make the homestead such a thriving ecosystem

[@LoolaFoos]

Maybe one of the red foxes that appear on this video are the little babies that we saw grow up next to your house! ♥ such a lovely channel Stefano!

[@StefanoIaniro]

It’s very possible! I tried keeping track of them over the winter to figure out who is still around. But once their winter coats grew in, I couldn’t tell who was who anymore 😅

[@cyh6092]

OMG I'm so glad you're back! 1. Nothing bad happened to you. 2. I love your videos and love what you've done to your land.

[@lucid2957]

The flower meadow is going to be so pretty once it starts growing, I look forward to the next update on it!

[@petersterling5334]

Wildlife is an Incredible Blessing to Humans on Earth!! Thanks to Stefano for being an Excellent Steward of the Land!

[@QuesoCookies]

So excited for your meadow! I'm sure the abundance of pollinators will attract a bunch of interesting insectivores, too. Can't wait!

[@mauricepowers3804]

So good!!!! You are a power house to do all this work and it must feel grand to know you are a true steward of the earth!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@rwild9356]

It sounds amazingly cool to own one's own wildlife park, and get to see the species grow up within it.

[@jergensroetz]

So glad you're back! I was getting worried. Great work with what you've been up to. Thank you for blessing us once again with such great content!

[@hobievi502]

Cant wait for the next episode!🎉

[@Malboop]

incredible! i expected the whole video to be you just chopping trees the whole time but this was so much more, you barely even included any of that. its very impressive, thank you for sharing your experiences and stories with us!

[@jacobdipietro375]

Yasssss new videoooo. Loving your videos and thank you for sharing your knowledge and journey in creating your various wildlife areas across your property!