Cascades Raptor Center is conducting a survey to gather information on active raptor nests in…
We have a success story to share! Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District has again funded Habitat Haven with a generous grant. This will allow us to continue our work assisting community members to create bird- and pollinator-friendly yards. Since our startup in May, more than 70 people have enrolled, and 22 percent now have certified habitat. Site visits will pick up again soon, so this is a good time to enroll. We thank you, UWSWCD!
You might wonder what our process is like. Let me give you an example. I recently visited a homeowner who had solarized his lawn and covered it in mulch, ready for planting. He was eager to get plants in the ground, but didn’t know which plants would be best or where to put them. 
He said, “I used to see Towhees when I lived in the south hills, but I don’t see them here.” The reasons were clear. Neat and tidy neighborhoods of lawns, with few canopy layers and no leaves on the ground, will not attract Towhees, which need excellent shrub cover, canopy layers for protection, and leaves to dig in.
We discussed what types of plants he wanted and spent some time going over the other important educational pieces of our program. These include wildlife stewardship, identifying invasive plants for removal, water conservation, pesticide elimination, and soil improvement.
After the visit, I created a list of suitable plants native to the south Willamette Valley. His report included tips for habitat creation, links to resources, and what he needed to do to certify as backyard habitat. He received a lawn sign that says “Habitat Restoration in Progress.” When he certifies, he will get a metal sign with replaceable stickers showing his level of certification, a great way to let neighbors know that you care about helping nature!
As Debbie Schlenoff explained so well in the last Quail, urban and suburban yards with 70 percent or more native plants increase survival rates of songbirds. Sometimes a change in our idea of beauty can mean a big difference in the lives of birds and bees.
Join the Habitat Haven community today! See more at Habitat Haven.
by Barbara Bryson
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