Landowners can protect the environment and engage in conservation practices regardless of the size or setting of their property. There are entire mini-ecosystems in our own backyards that impact the wildlife, watersheds, and macro-ecosystems of our region. We can all take responsibility for own pieces of land and proactively work to keep nature close to home. Indeed, the sum of all our work can have a huge impact on our urban natural landscape.

The West Willamette Restoration Project has created the Backyard Habitat Certification Program to help individual homeowners to remove aggressive weeds, and to use native plants in their gardens and backyards. Portland has a wealth of knowledgeable people and resources for landowners who want to learn more about smart gardening. From free naturescaping workshops to demonstration native plant gardens, a vast array of brochures on how to remove invasive plants, and alternative methods to using chemicals on your garden, there is A LOT of information available.  The challenge however is how to make it available and relatively easy for a homeowner who wants to learn more.

The Backyard Habitat Certification Program does this and provides incentives for landowners to protect their own properties from invasive species. The program educates landowners about invasive weeds and provides resources to help them plan their landscape in an ecologically friendly manner. The goals for the “Backyard Habitat Certification” are to 1) help landowners remove invasive species from their yard, 2) replant with natives and add canopy layers in their backyard, and 3) encourage advance landscaping for ideal urban habitat.

The process for certification includes an initial home visit and assessment of the property. During this visit, staff will work with the landowner to assess the support they will need to remove the invasive plants from the property. Identification and removal is only the first step. When landowners replant and restore the natural canopy layers of a forest habitat, the entire community reaps benefits. For example, instead of ivy draping your backyard forest, native gardens will beautify your backyard, help wildlife, and will not require chemicals. In addition, native gardens conserve water and improve air, water and soil quality throughout your neighborhood. And songbirds, butterflies and other interesting wildlife will be attracted to the yard.

Three certification levels have been established for the program- silver, gold, and platinum- each with its own qualifications and benefits.

The West Willamette Restoration Project is dedicated to helping landowners restore their land. We are targeting specific issues that face the Portland area, and working to protect an amazing area of native habitat just five minutes away from downtown Portland. To participate in the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, contact Gaylen Beatty at 503-699-9825 or gbeatty@trlc.org to schedule a home visit. As an organization dedicated to land conservation, we can assist in providing resources to start the process of creating wildlife habitat on your property!

Download our Backyard Habitat Certification Program Brochure

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