Columbia Land Trust and Bird Alliance of Oregon run the Backyard Habitat Certification Program to help people transform their yards and greenspaces into thriving habitats that keep nature connected through urban and suburban areas. By enrolling in the program, participants help birds, pollinators, and other species move freely and thrive through urban landscapes. With over 13,000 households participating in the Portland metropolitan area, the program’s collective impact is making a remarkable difference for nature in our communities.
Participants act as partners in conservation by planting native plants, removing priority weeds, eliminating pesticide use, managing stormwater on site, and stewarding wildlife. Each participant receives technical assistance, incentives like coupons and certification signs, and encouragement. Individuals, apartments, businesses, schools, places of worship, and community organizations are all encouraged to participate.
To date, Columbia Land Trust has conserved more nearly 60,000 acres of ecologically important land from the East Cascades to the Pacific Coast. The Backyard Habitat Certification Program is a key component of our mission to strengthen wildlife corridors and conserve connected habitat throughout across the Columbia River region. You can learn about more of the Land Trust’s recent projects here.
For more information about Backyard Habitat, native plant resources, and to enroll in the program, visit backyardhabitats.org.