Backyard Habitat celebrates 20 years
The beloved Backyard Habitat Certification Program began as a small pilot project in May 2006, founded in southwest Portland by a collaboration of agency, nonprofit, and municipal supporters. In the first year and a half, just over 40 participants enrolled in the program.
The current structure of co-management by Columbia Land Trust and Bird Alliance of Oregon took shape in 2009 and since then, the program has expanded into the urban/suburban areas of Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties in Oregon, and Clark County in Washington.
Yard by yard, we’ve grown a powerful grassroots movement, (except we’re replacing lawns with native plants!) Today more than 14,000 participants are enrolled in the Backyard Habitat program. That large scale matters and is critical to the program’s success, demonstrating the far-reaching positive change when individuals collectively make small, positive changes. The more yards that participate, the more easily birds and pollinators can move throughout the region to find food and shelter, the more water is conserved, and the more native trees and shrubs there are shading and cooling our communities.
“Having a real live human come see my garden and discuss realistic plans, options, and habitat needs was incredibly helpful. It also built my confidence as a new gardener to have an experienced gardener educate, encourage, and guide me.”
-Kiley M.
“So much in our world feels out of my control, so when I realized I can control and make a positive difference on my little plot of land, it was freeing. Once you start naturescaping it’s inspiring to see the tangible difference you are making.”
-Anonymous
Collectively, these greenspaces also create links to larger conserved lands, like those that Columbia Land Trust protects and cares for from the Pacific Coast to the East Cascades. Together, we’re building corridors for wildlife and strengthening ecosystems across the region. We’re also generating local economic activity and building community by encouraging people to spend time outdoors and get to know their neighbors.
Every participant’s naturescaping journey is different and special. Some begin with a nearly blank canvas while others spend years removing ecologically harmful plants to clear space for native plants to thrive. Some thoughtfully tend to a mason bee colony of super pollinators, while others construct catios rivaling luxury apartments in design and sophistication.
Portland-Vancouver metro area communities benefit from increased air and water quality, reduced heat stress, energy savings, and the beauty and peace of additional greenspaces, including those at community sites like schools and places of worship.
“The success of the Backyard Habitat program is due to its strong partnerships and community-focused approach,” said program co-manager Katherine Noble. “The program harnesses folks’ individual passions for plants, birds, pollinators, etc. and transforms that enthusiasm into tangible actions, sending ripple effects through their neighborhood and beyond. We often hear how the meaningful changes participants witness in their own greenspaces inspire them to engage with conservation actions more broadly, and how the program offers a sense of hope for the future we are building together.” Cheers to the next 20 years of Backyard Habitat!
“We are so grateful for this beautiful community. We learned valuable insight at our site visit, by visiting open gardens, from all the resources, and from partner nurseries like Sparrowhawk. Our garden has brought us such peace through the storms of life and we have this community to thank for it.”
-Emily K.
BACKYARD HABITAT BY THE NUMBERS
14,500 households enrolled
3,800 acres enrolled
4,500 certified yards
420,000+ native plants planted
35,000+ actions taken to manage stormwater (restoring soils, caring for large canopy trees, installing raingardens, removing impervious surfaces, conserving water)
26,000+ actions taken to improve wildlife habitat (planting pollinator meadows, installing bird and bat nest boxes, incorporating snags and nurse logs, wildlife water features, keeping cats indoors)
549 metric tons of carbon sequestered and
11.2 million captured gallons of water per year estimated, according to a 2024 study
Help us keep this program going strong.
