The Backyard Habitat Certification Program would like to invite you to our special event, The Backyard Habitat Happy Valley Garden Tour! Several Backyard Habitat participants are graciously opening their yards in the Happy Valley and Oatfield neighborhoods for guests to observe the benefits of integrating native plants, wildlife habitat, and stormwater management into our yards to support wildlife and build resilient gardens.
When: Saturday, 4/18/26, 10am-1230pm
Who is invited: Anyone who lives in Happy Valley, Oatfield, Johnson City, or Milwaukie! You do not need to be enrolled in Backyard Habitat. Bring a neighbor or a friend!
Cost: FREE!
Register Here
Details: Participants may drive or walk to any of our host’s yards within the timeframe of the event:
Christopher’s yard, 9325 SE Dundee Dr, Happy Valley
Over the last 5 years, Christopher has completely re-landscaped his wooded yard, removing the lawn and non-native trees and shrubs and replacing them with native plants, shrubs and trees to qualify for platinum certification! He has noticed his efforts have resulted in a sharp increase in birds, pollinators and other wildlife coming to his yard, and he notes the smell and feel of the yard has shifted. He has been able to reduce his watering significantly since his plants have established, and his efforts have reduced the soil erosion on his slopes.
Sheila’s yard, 11466 SE Hidalgo Ct, Clackamas
Sheila’s home sits at the sloped edge of Mt Talbert Natural Area. She has taken inspiration from the park’s restoration efforts and has native plants throughout her yard, including a volunteer Oregon white oak and sun-loving native flowers in her front yard, and more shade loving natives such as western redcedar and woodland shrubs in her backyard. She has a native hedgerow underway and has been successful in transplanting plants as they continue to grow. Her yard is chock full of wildlife stewardship features such as deadwood, a snag, and water baths, and she has restored her soils through removal of lawn and sheet-mulching. Her efforts have qualified for platinum, and she can see the results from the wildlife that lives with her.
Ryan and Christen’s yard, 12125 SE Solstice Ct, Happy Valley
Ryan and Christen started their journey with a yard full of pea gravel and paving stones and a single raised bed. With the support of Backyard Habitat and a landscaping crew, they turned their yard into a fairy garden with paths made of natural reused materials. Over time, they have weaved native plants in with a food forest full of berries and fruits and tree houses for fairy-watching, that keeps them and their daughter visiting their yard through the year. They harnessed their rainwater by creating two rain gardens, and hope to remove the lawn from our front yard and create a new rain garden and a crevice garden in the future. This gold-certified yard is sure to delight all of your senses!
Kary’s yard, 6924 SE Molt St, Milwaukie
Kary started her journey by transforming a weedy front yard on a sloping hill into a 40 ft winding creek bed lined with rocks and planted full of native plants. This platinum certified yard is now full to bursting with a diverse array of native plants intermixed with favorite ornamentals. The rain catchment system attracts native wildlife and is ripe with life when it warms up in the warmer months. She has carefully shifted her gardening habits to care for the dwellers in her soil, stems, and plants. Her close observations have allowed her to find pollinators napping in the foliage, a sure sign that they feel safe in her yard. She is eager to share her observations of seasonal bird and pollinator habits, and her creative strategies for naturescaping on a budget.
Accessibility and Etiquette:
• Participants may walk through our host’s yards. Please respect the yards by staying on paths, shutting gates behind you, refraining from picking plants, and asking before taking photographs.
• The tour may require driving between sites. Park in any open spaces near the host’s site. Please respect neighbors as you decide on your parking choices.
• The tour will be outdoors. Come prepared for all common weather conditions.
• Bathrooms within the tour host’s homes will generally not be available to the tour. If you have an urgent need, we will accommodate your request as best we can.
• The tour may be cancelled for inclement weather, which would be temperatures over 95 degrees, thunder & lightning, and air quality index of 150 or greater. We can inform registered guests last minute if we cancel, so we appreciate you registering.
Any questions about the event can be directed to Kate Kauffman at kkauffman@columbialandtrust.org.
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