Backyard Rewilding Program

Backyard Rewilding is an idea that has been popularized by Doug Tallamy through his work with Homegrown National Park. At HCSWCD, we have adapted his ideas to fit the goals and capabilities of the District. In our eyes, Backyard Rewilding is transforming your lawn into a living landscape by:

  • Limiting mowing and allowing for natural plant growth

  • Planting native species (some can be purchased through our Native Plant Sale at the start of each year and are delivered in the spring.

  • Removing invasive species that out-compete our native plants and don’t provide as many ecological benefits.

The benefits of Backyard Rewilding include, but are not limited to:

  • Increasing habitat for native wildlife. Depending on the species you plant, you can fill your back yard with birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Increasing biodiversity and engaging animals from the entire food chain helps your yard act as a natural ecosystem and gives our native species more room to move throughout the state.

  • Filtering polluted water before it reaches major waterways. Native plants have deep roots that absorb nutrients and allow water to infiltrate deep into the ground before it reaches nearby streams, rivers and lakes.

  • Carbon sequestration. More biodiversity above ground leads to more biodiversity below ground. The plant matter above ground takes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it below ground, helping to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

  • Soil Stabilization. In addition to storing carbon and filtering water, deep root systems and biodiverse soil helps keep your soil where it’s at and prevents erosion.

As part of our Backyard Rewilding Program, we offer a Conservation Landscape Certification (CLC). To obtain this certification, we walk your property with you and help you evaluate your yard based on 5 Core Principles: Wildlife Habitat Creation, Soil and Water Conservation, Invasive Species Control, Ecosystem Support, and Integrated Pest Management. If your yard receives a high enough score, you attain the Conservation Landscape Certification and the chance to add your property to Doug Tallamy’s Homegrown National Park map, which shows all the CLC properties across our land. Lawn signs commemorating the certification are also given to help spread the word about conservation landscaping that creates biodiverse landscape and supports local flora and fauna. This is a great way to showcase your hard work while sparking conversation with all those who see your sign.

If you do not receive a passing score, we will help you get their with a free initial consultation (the Site Visit). More more detailed assistance beyond that, such as Technical Landscape Design including species selection and general planting plans, are available at $60/hr.

To get started, Contact Us and we will schedule a site visit to review your property with you, or feel free to use our Conservation Checklists to assess your own yard and start thinking with the Backyard Rewilding approach. On our Resources Page, you’ll find a Residential Checklist for small, mixed-use properties, and a Woodland Owner Checklist for properties over 5 acres.

B

Set Up Your Free Consultation
Schedule Lndscape Design Services

Backyard Rewilding / CLC Program - Checklists:

Backyard Conservation Certification Program Presentation HCSWCD 2023

Conservation Landscape Certification Checklist – Woodland Owner – More than 5 Acres

Conservation Landscape Certification Checklist – Residential / Small Mixed-Use Property

Conservation Landscape Certification Checklist - Woodland Owner -  2 acres

Homegrown Diversity and Infectious Diseases - Homegrown National Park