began as a chronicle of one yard in Los Angeles, and now, through Instagram it has inspired over 200,000 followers to share in the discovery —and in the creation—of their own sanctuaries. A cornerstone of this big city yard’s transformation has been water fountains.

There’s an art to the form and function of moving water design to be welcoming and accessible to birds and other wildlife. Once the proper fountain is established, the results are dramatic, with countless species visiting both day and night, a huge benefit to our ecosystems, and happiness for both wildlife and humans. If you’ve ever watched ten hummingbirds bathing at the same time, a honeybee taking a sip of water, or a mama owl soaking her feet in the middle of the night, you’ll understand.