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Backyard Habitat program expands in Tualatin with city partnership; 83 properties enrolled to date
Summary
Tualatin announced a three‑year partnership supporting the Backyard Habitat Certification program with $10,000 per year. Program representatives said 83 Tualatin properties are enrolled, 23 are certified, and the regional program has enrolled roughly 13,000 properties.
City staff and program representatives briefed the council on April 14 about the Backyard Habitat Certification program and a formal partnership that provides the program with $10,000 per year under a three‑year agreement to support outreach and site visits in Tualatin.
"The backyard habitat program is managed by two nonprofit conservation organizations in the region," said Catherine Noble, who identified herself with the program. Lindsay Marshall, public works management analyst, told the council the city entered an official partnership to provide $10,000 annually as a three‑year contract to expand enrollment and outreach in Tualatin.
Program staff described services available to residents: a sliding‑scale enrollment fee, a one‑hour site visit by a habitat technician, a six‑page site report with plant recommendations, coupons for native plant nurseries, and a multi‑tier certification system (silver, gold, platinum). Catherine and Susie Peterson of the program said that, regionally, the program has more than 13,000 enrolled properties and is adding roughly 1,500 per year. In Tualatin specifically the presenters reported 83 properties enrolled and 23 certified; the Tualatin properties account for about 16 acres and more than 2,000 native trees and shrubs planted.
The program emphasizes five elements: removing priority invasive weeds; planting native species; reducing pesticide use; promoting wildlife stewardship (including measures to reduce window collisions and outdoor lighting); and stormwater management through techniques such as rain gardens and soil restoration. Program staff said certified properties receive signage, and community sites such as schools and libraries can participate as larger enrollment sites.
Councilors praised the outreach and data‑driven approach. Councilor Brooks asked about regional bird declines and nighttime migration impacts; program staff highlighted bird collisions with windows and cat predation as two leading threats and recommended lighting and pet‑management strategies. Council members also discussed the program's professional directory of contractors and the availability of free resources on the program website.
Marshall said the city partnership is intended to increase community engagement and support the city's climate and stormwater goals by encouraging native planting, water conservation and reduced pesticide use.
Program representatives said they will continue outreach at community events and work with city staff and local schools to expand demonstration and certification sites in the city.
