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Bell's Vireo by Rick & Nora Bowers/The Wildlife Collection

Did you know that the Least Bell's Vireo, a federally listed endangered bird species, relies on indigenous Mulefat (images) shrubs and Willow trees (images) for its habitat?

Try this:

1. Get permission to take a small cutting of mulefat and willow from your local public natural area. Cuttings should be woody (3/4" to 1" thick and 6" to 12" long).

2. Remove all leaves.

3. Stick cuttings upright in drinking glass or cup of water (submerge about 3" to 6" of cuttings) and leave by window where sunlight reaches.

4. Wait a few weeks and monitor for root growth.

5. When roots are a few centimeters long, you can plant in moist soil (either in plant container or directly in ground). Make sure soil is kept moist.

6. Eventually your Mulefat and Willow cuttings will start producing leaves and establishing their roots.

7. Mulefat shrubs and Willow trees are fast growing and require regular irrigation because they are adapted for Riparian (streamside) areas.

8. In 1 to 3 years, your plants will mature and become viable habitat for an endangered bird species!