Buckman Elementary Backyard Habitat garden

Making Sure Nature Is Always Accessible: How the Backyard Habitat Certification Program Supports Community Sites

In 2022, the Backyard Habitat Certification Program received funding to help improve the water quality in our local waterways. We are using these funding to financially support new and existing community sites and, more specifically, community sites that emphasized public equity and accessibility.

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Greg Baker in his garden

Bird Alliance of Oregon Highlight: Greg Baker

For over three decades, Greg Baker has been an integral part of the Bird Alliance of Oregon “flock”. Greg’s expertise in birding and mentorship has inspired hundreds of people to care for and appreciate birds over the many years of his involvement. His enthusiasm, knowledge, and willingness to share his expertise with others have made him a vibrant member of our Bird Alliance of Oregon community.

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People planting together

Digging Deeper: Backyard Habitat Certification Program Update

In 2022, BHCP hit a programmatic milestone of enrolling the 10,000th participant! Our enrolled participants’ land now totals over 2,453 acres, which together is about four times the size of Powell Butte Nature Park in East Portland. These pockets of habitat form important corridors to support wildlife, manage stormwater, and increase access to greenspaces within urban spaces.

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Bushtit perched on an Oregon Grape bush

Demonstration Projects: Walking our Talk

Bird Alliance of Oregon’s plans to upgrade our campus provide an exciting opportunity to walk our talk by integrating Bird Safe, Lights Out, Green Roof, and Backyard Habitat Certification Program demonstration projects into our facilities showcasing how they can incorporate green elements into their own homes, yards, businesses, and beyond.

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Two backyard habitat participants smile at the camera, one holding their dog, the other holding the Backyard Habitat Certification sign.

It’s All Connected: Ten Years of Restoring the Urban Landscape One Yard at a Time

Can one yard make a difference? The answer is an emphatic yes. More than a decade ago, a handful of neighbors eager to restore native habitat in SW Portland started the first iteration of the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, which ultimately sparked a movement that has now spread to more than 6,000 yards across the Portland-Vancouver Metro Region.

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