Love birds? Habitat Haven Can Help Make Your Yard More Attractive to Them

Spring is here, and we are getting new enrollments daily for our backyard habitat certification program. Habitat loss is a primary reason for declining bird species worldwide. Science informs us that enriching habitat in our yards helps birds reproduce and sustains populations. Replacing lawn with native plants can save water, store carbon, and reduce runoff, plus save you time on mowing and fertilizing.

We are pleased to welcome Greg Oldson of Landwise Landscape. He will be performing many of our site visits this season. Thanks to Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District for providing a grant to help us keep up with demand!

Habitat is about more than native plants. Water features are very important for birds and pollinators. Small brush piles can be lifesaving cover for fledglings. Leaf piles nurture bumblebee queens and protect butterfly and moth larvae. Layers of leaves are excellent for smothering weeds and enriching your soil at the same time. Consider a bat house, as these mosquito eaters need habitat too! And please avoid pesticides.

If you want to purchase native plants, we are lucky to have Doak Creek Native Plant Nursery close to Eugene, as well as Trillium Gardens. Both have supported our land stewards in Habitat Haven with discounts on native plants. Thank you, Cynthia Lafferty and Sheila Klest! Willamette Wildlings provides locally sourced wildflower seed and may supply plants—call to find out.

Go to Habitat Haven to join our community!