Backyard Habitat Certification Program

Amit's yard in the Columbia Slough watershed has been beautifully naturescaped in two zones of full-sun and part-shade. Amit is a biology teacher who is well versed in ecosystem science, and shared that "while it's hard work to prep a site, when the plants go in and the pollinators arrive it's so satisfying."

He worked with Elemental Romantism on a design. The 4 canopy layers include big-leaf lupine, Cascade penstemon, prairie junegrass, nodding onion, meadow checkermallow, Western columbine, early blue-violet, piggyback plant, birch-leaf spirea, bald-hip rose, common snowberry, Cascade Oregon grape, sword fern, salal, mock orange, tall Oregon grape, red-flowering currant, oceanspray, and evergreen huckleberry with a bitter cherry on top.

Amit is looking forward to learning more and naturescaping another zone around a sugar maple in the backyard that features a crow’s nest. Congratulations on your Gold certification, Amit. This yard has the potential to amplify habitat for birds and pollinators in nearby parks as well as the Columbia Slough wildlife corridor.

East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District

Caryn and Kevin began with a large, sunny backyard in Camas that was truly a blank slate, gently sloping down to an HOA-owned bioswale. Deer and rabbits have certainly made their presence known, grazing on new plantings, and even coyotes regularly pass through—but none of that has deterred them.

With creativity and determination, they’ve built small fences and protective cages around young plants, with mostly great success. Along one fence line, a row of tall Oregon grape is interplanted with vine maples, creating the beginnings of a layered native screen. They’ve also planted three red alder and are enjoying how quickly they grow. Despite heavy browsing, they’re pressing on and plan to try Douglas fir, confident the third time will be the charm.

Along another fence line, ocean spray and Douglas spirea are thriving and really taking off. Small pockets of flowers are becoming established, which they plan to divide and spread throughout other areas of the yard.

Congratulations on Silver certification—and on your perseverance in building resilient habitat despite the challenges.

Clark County, WA

City of Camas

Amelia’s corner lot in King neighborhood draws attention for a few reasons. Her stylish turn of the century home with its mature ponderosa pine and multiple canopied native plant community underneath makes for an attractive street view. Hidden in the backyard are slate paths, carnivorous plants, and natives along the fences.

Under the Ponderosa pine, are a couple of established vine maple trees, ocean spray, several snowberries, Nootka roses, sword ferns, lady ferns and other seasonal forbs. Amelia started expanding her native plant collection from there, by adding more snowberries, kinnikinnick, fringecup, and sedums under the American elm tree on the opposite corner of the front yard.

In the backyard along the fences, several taller native shrubs like osoberry, mock orange and ocean spray have been added to provide privacy. The neighbors just removed an ancient red oak which had limited the growth of many other plants, like the salal and inside out flower. Hopefully that will allow for the other natives like the ginger and lily of the valley to thrive. There is plenty of shade under the neighbors' deodore cedar, where the sword ferns, fringe cup, and other natives are comfortable.

Amelia redesigned her shady backyard, by removing the lawn and laying down slate pathways and a patio area. One of her disconnected downspouts flows onto the slate and supports her healthy crop of bleeding heart. This area is divided by the remaining stumps of an older cherry tree, on which various potted plants are perched. Other collectible carnivorous plants share the space, along with a dry sauna and cold dipping pool.

Congratulations, Amelia for taking the first step towards replacing many common ornamentals with native plants, and receiving your Silver level certification. Next up is to tackle some of the undesirable plants that were hiding in the shadows. We hope to see her resubmit her property soon for Gold level.

East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District