Backyard Habitat Certification Program

Caitlin and Chris's garden in Lake Oswego welcomes volunteer and adopted native trees, and has adapted to changes in sun conditions beautifully. We were buzzed by hummingbirds, chickadees and a woodpecker during the certification.

Pacific madrone, hemlock, Douglas fir and a western red cedar have been added since they moved to this beautiful home. Also growing -- evergreen huckleberry, common snowberry, red osier dogwood, sword fern, bracken fern, lady fern, red-flowering currant, Nootka rose, Oregon oxalis, western columbine and pearly everlasting, to name a few.

Great job Caitlyn and Chris for creating such beautiful habitat. Congratulations on your Silver certification. We look forward to upcertifying your ongoing efforts.

Clackamas SWCD

WeedWise: A conservation program of the Clackamas SWCD


Friends of Tryon Creek

When Joe moved into his home in the Oatfield neighborhood of Milwaukie, there was lawn, two sequoia trees, and a couple other ornamental trees. He set to work removing lawn and planting native species, but when the 2021 heat dome struck, many of his plants suffered. After that, he realized he needed to improve his quick-draining soil, so he built it up with leaves and mulch and replanted many of the species.

Today, his yard is lush with western red cedar and Ponderosa pine making up the overstory, and vine maple, osoberry, and tall Oregon grape below that. Cascade Oregon grape, sword and lady fern, and snowberry constitute the small shrub layer. For groundcover in the shadier front yard, there is false Solomon's seal, false lily of the valley, and wild strawberry. In the sunnier backyard, there is western red columbine, nodding onion, large-leaved lupine and Oregon iris.

Joe has worked tirelessly to naturescape over 70 percent of the yard! Congrats on your Gold level certification, Joe, your yard is an amazing haven for wildlife.

Clackamas SWCD

WeedWise: A conservation program of the Clackamas SWCD

City of Milwaukie