1. Native plants and trees house and feed the native insects, birds and mammals that co-evolved with them over geologic time. Co-evolving means just the right color, sugar composition, height, etc. attracts hundreds of species instead of just a handful with non-native plants and trees.
2. Noxious weeds have no native predators to keep their growth and spread controlled. In this way, they reduce biodiversity of native plants and, in turn, the native insects, birds, and mammals that rely on native plants for housing and forage. I want to see more of our charismatic fauna, not less.
3. Pesticides/Herbicides/Fertilizers are primarily made in a lab and get into the ground water and bodies of water, adversely affecting native water life and us. Native plants and trees don’t require these chemicals. Our natural environment is all they need.
4. Stormwater washing over our roofs, driveways, sidewalks and roadways picks up pollutants like your neighbors pesticides/herbicides, motor oil and gasoline, metals and other chemicals. These drain into our beautiful rivers and streams, endangering water quality and wildlife. The program encourages nine possible management actions.
5. The newest piece to me is wildlife stewardship. This can include keeping cats indoors; keeping a water feature clean for birds, insects and amphibians; nurturing mason bees; putting in a pollinator meadow (if you have a large enough property); leaving leaves, snags and nurse logs; reducing outdoor lighting during bird migration; to name a few.

Together, we set out to transform the property into something that was sustainable, friendly to both insect and animal life, and beautiful. Our goals included:

1. Low maintenance
2. Areas for outdoor relaxation
3. A vegetable garden
4. Plants and features that supported pollinators and birds
5. Decreased lawn.

Our first task was to rid the property of invasive plant life. The most prevalent species was the Himalayan blackberry but there was also ample English ivy and Creeping buttercup to remove as well. As you can see from the pictures, sometimes the blackberry won and sometimes we won.

To remove most of the blackberries took three years. However, the removal of invasives is never a one and done assignment. After eleven years, we are still pulling blackberry and ivy found under bushes and in the planting areas. 

When we retired Leah became a Master Gardener and Mark joined the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network and the Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board. Many of the plants we chose in the first few years were just what was available at local nurseries and big box stores.  When we started going for Backyard Habitat certification, we learned so much and found great resources for native plants.  We are still removing our unfortunate choices and replacing them with keystone native plants whenever possible. 

Trees are a central element of the garden. Collaborative decision making regarding the tree selection was vital to matrimonial harmony as well as ecologically appropriate decisions. We have removed an invasive Norway Maple that we planted early on and have replaced a dying, non-native birch tree with a Big Leaf Maple – a keystone plant that supports a vast array of pollinators. Up next is removing a Bradford Pear, another invasive species, with native Bitter Cherry, Prunus emarginata, another keystone tree.