Backyard Habitats Certification Program

Columbia Land Trust and Audubon Society of Portland have joined forces to offer the Backyard Habitats Certification Program.

This collaborative effort provides technical assistance to small lot, private property owners (under 1 acre) to restore native wildlife habitat in their backyards and help manage on-site stormwater runoff. The program was launched in January 2009 within the City of Portland. Starting August 1, 2011 we have expanded the Backyard Habitat Certification Program into Lake Oswego in partnership with Friends of Tryon Creek.  If you are outside of the City of Portland and Lake Oswego – stay tuned… we are working to expand even further.

Download Program Brochure

How do I get certified?

If you are interested in joining the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, please fill out our Introduction Application. We will send you our backyard e-newsletter and will contact you about scheduling a site visit. You do not need to be certified ready for a site visit!  For any questions, please email Gaylen Beatty at gbeatty@columbialandtrust.org or call (503) 841-5918.

The first step of certification is having a knowledgeable backyard certification staff person come to your backyard for a site visit. We will provide technical assistance and a site plan. We will also provide discounts and incentives for native plants and other materials to help you on your way. A fee of $25 is due prior to your site visit. A certification sign from Audubon and Columbia Land Trust will identify your yard as certified wildlife habitat.

Get certified and start helping wildlife today

The goals are to assist property owners through three levels of advanced habitat restoration. The program focuses on the:

• Removal of aggressive weeds
• Naturescaping with native plants
• Stormwater management
• Wildlife stewardship

Certification Benefits

PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAM

These benefits are offered throughout the year. Please check the Backyard E-newsletters for dates and order details.

• Discounted native plants at our four native plant sales. Plant sales in the spring and fall advertised through our monthly E-newletter.
• Wholesale prices on soil and mulch from ProGro Mixes in Sherwood 503-682-3500
• Wholesale prices on gardening tools - offered occasionally
• Timber Press 30% off Bringing Nature Home book (plus free shipping)
• Certification in Progress sign

Backyard Habitats in the press

The Oregonian: My backyard habitat in Southwest Portland's Hillsdale area
Portland Monthly: Backyard Habitat Certification
On a Green String: Backyard Habitat Certification Program
The Oregonian: Lack of native plants keeps my garden from backyard habitat certification 
Portland Monthly: Backyard Features
The Oregonian: Wildlife Abounds in a Garden