For 11 years, Scarborough’s Eddie and Nancy Woodin have worked on perfecting their two-acre garden. They have tried different designs, tended trees, shrubs and flowers and built stone walls. As a result of all their work over the years, they have transformed their yard into both a visual treat and a home for everything from chipmunks to monarch butterflies.

Last Wednesday, the Woodins opened their garden to the public, something they said they look forward to doing again in the future. They invited the Scarborough and Raymond garden clubs to tour the property and discuss gardening.

“After 11 years of developing the land, I wanted to open it up more to the public to exchange ideas and enjoy things,” said Eddie Woodin.

An avid birder, for over 30 years Woodin has donated both time and money to Maine Audubon. His garden is an extension of his love of birds and desire to protect Maine habitat. Though the gardens are filled with conventional flowers, shrubs and trees, everything is included with the environment in mind.

When both garden clubs asked to see the garden, the Woodins decided it was a good time to open it.

Nancy Proctor, of the Raymond club, was impressed both by Woodin’s hospitality and his gardening skills.

“He was so willing,” said Proctor. “This garden is very special. It’s extensive and his approach to shrubbery is very unusual. They way he lines the garden with them is very professional, it’s such a lot of work. Our little gardens can’t compare.”

The line of trees and shrubs around the garden is not only for aesthetics, but also helps to accomplish Woodin’s goal of creating a habitat for wildlife.

Woodin has created natural barriers around the property, which not only create privacy, but according to Woodin, help birds feel safe from predators.

Woodin enjoys creating a space where a huge variety of birds will come to nest and feed. Not only does he put out 100 pounds of seed a week, but he recently incorporated two snag trees cut down by a neighbor into the garden. The trees are bare of limbs and leaves, but they provide an excellent feeding area for birds.

“I love seeing nature at work,” said Woodin. “With declining habitat you can make a difference on your own property.”

Eventually he hopes to have a one club a week come through, as well as trips given by Maine Audubon. The whole idea, said Woodin, is to share the idea of animal-friendly gardening.

There are also blueberry bushes, grapes, perennials that produce seed in the fall and other trees that birds can feed on year-round. There is no mortar in the stone walls so chipmunks can scurry in and out, the perennials attract butterflies, bees, hornets and dragonflies and he even put out Mosquito Magnets to offer more food for the wildlife.

For Woodin, a love of nature is behind his desire for gardening.

“You’ve got to be inspired,” said Woodin. “It has to maintain your interest if you’re going to maintain it.”

Opening the garden to trips and teaching his habitat-saving techniques to other gardeners is his most recent contribution to Audubon. For 30 years, Woodin has led and created Audubon field trips, donated both time and money and helped to ensure the preservation of habitat and animals in Maine.

In late April 2005 he promised to match every $50 donation dollar for dollar up to $10,000 for Maine Audubon’s annual fundraiser known as “the Birdathon,” and in December 2005 he donated $100,000 to its capital campaign.

When the Scarborough Marsh Nature Center flooded, Woodin donated the money to repair the building.

“Every time we have a special event he’s there,” said Nature Center Director Linda Woodard. “He not only financially helps out, but he also led a lot of trips. He’s always there with support.”

For Woodin, giving to Maine Audubon and teaching his gardening techniques makes perfect sense.

“You’ve got to be giving back,” said Woodin. “You’ve got to encourage the future by building the base of the future.”

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