Habitat Haven Update March 2025

Our backyard habitat certification program, Habitat Haven, has resumed full-time site visits to community members who desire to help birds, pollinators, and wildlife by enhancing habitat in their yards. We have a waiting list, so sign up soon if you would like a visit this spring!

This program offers:

• In-person visits from educated technicians who listen to your goals and make recommendations based on your specific site.
• A packet of resources, including discounts on native plants from Doak Creek and Trillium native plant nurseries.
• A lawn sign to show others your commitment to healing nature in your yard.
• After your visit, you receive a written report with recommendations for each category, as well as online resources to boost your habitat improvement knowledge.
• When ready to certify, you receive a new sign.
• Ongoing support along the way as needed!

Certification at silver, gold, or platinum levels is based on actions in five areas: percent of native plantings, removal of invasive plants, pesticide elimination, wildlife stewardship, and water conservation measures.

We are extremely grateful to the Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District for awarding us another grant for 2025! This allows us to increase capacity and move our community forward in our goal of creating habitat connectivity throughout the Eugene-Springfield area.

Thank you also to Sheila Klest of Trillium Gardens and Cynthia Lafferty of Doak Creek Native Plant Nursery for supporting this program! We are truly fortunate to have native plant nurseries in our area.

By Barb Bryson