Restoring the shrub-steppe and bunchgrass prairie, one backyard at a time
This certification program is being developed by Inland Commons, a Walla Walla nonprofit working to restore native ecosystems and build community around the land. If you'd like to get involved, shape the program, or bring it to your neighborhood, reach out at inlandcommons.org. Modeled on the Portland Backyard Habitat Certification Program.
A proposed certification framework for Walla Walla gardeners, modeled on Portland's Backyard Habitat Certification Program and adapted for the ecology and invasive plant challenges of southeastern Washington. This is a draft framework open for community input.
Certification Levels
For gardeners just beginning their native plant journey. Even a small start matters — a single sagebrush or patch of balsamroot provides real habitat.
- 🌿 Natives: 5–10% of planted area
- 📐 Layers: 2 of 5 layers present
- 🚫 Invasives: Class A invasives removed from your property; Class B invasives controlled in planted areas
- 🦋 Wildlife: 1 wildlife feature
- 💧 Stormwater: Not required
- 🧪 Pesticides: Avoid broadcast synthetic pesticide use
- 📚 Education: Not required
A significant native planting that provides real habitat value while still leaving room for a personal style garden.
- 🌿 Natives: 20% of planted area
- 📐 Layers: 3 of 5 layers present
- 🚫 Invasives: Class A and B invasives removed from planted areas
- 🦋 Wildlife: 2 wildlife features
- 💧 Stormwater: 1 stormwater practice
- 🧪 Pesticides: No synthetic pesticides in native areas; IPM elsewhere
- 📚 Education: Not required
A yard that functions as genuine native habitat, capable of supporting resident wildlife populations through the full annual cycle.
- 🌿 Natives: 40% of planted area
- 📐 Layers: 4 of 5 layers present
- 🚫 Invasives: Class A, B, and C invasives removed from planted areas
- 🦋 Wildlife: 3 wildlife features
- 💧 Stormwater: 2 stormwater practices
- 🧪 Pesticides: No synthetic pesticides on property
- 📚 Education: 1 education or outreach action
A yard that is a genuine restoration garden — functioning as a habitat corridor and educational resource for the community.
- 🌿 Natives: 60%+ of planted area; plants from eastern WA / Columbia Plateau seed sources
- 📐 Layers: All 5 layers present
- 🚫 Invasives: All invasives removed and managed with annual follow-up
- 🦋 Wildlife: 4+ wildlife features; outdoor cats managed
- 💧 Stormwater: 3+ stormwater practices
- 🧪 Pesticides: No synthetic pesticides; No Pesticides Pledge
- 📚 Education: 2 education or outreach actions
Five Vegetation Layers
| Layer | Height | Local Examples | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy Trees | 30+ feet | Ponderosa pine, Black cottonwood, Douglas-fir, Quaking aspen | Large native trees providing structure, shade, and canopy-level habitat |
| Understory Trees | 10–30 feet | Saskatoon serviceberry, Chokecherry, Black hawthorn, Blue elderberry, Water birch | Small native trees and large multi-stem shrubs filling the mid-canopy |
| Large Shrubs | 5–15 feet | Lewis' mock orange, Oceanspray, Red-osier dogwood, Woods' rose, Smooth sumac | Mid-height native shrubs providing cover, nesting sites, and food |
| Small Shrubs, Forbs & Grasses | 1–5 feet | Arrowleaf balsamroot, Big sagebrush, Rubber rabbitbrush, Silky lupine, Bluebunch wheatgrass, Penstemon spp. | The 'flower layer' — native wildflowers, grasses, and small shrubs supporting pollinators |
| Groundcover | Under 12 inches | Kinnikinnick, Creeping Oregon grape, Hood's phlox, Wild strawberry, Sandberg bluegrass, Scarlet globemallow | Low native plants covering bare soil, reducing weeds, and providing habitat for ground-nesting bees |
Wildlife Feature Options (choose to earn credits)
Stormwater Practices
Education & Outreach Actions
Invasive Plants to Remove
Removing invasive plants is a core requirement at every certification level — it's as important as planting natives. Washington State classifies noxious weeds into three categories:
Class A — Eradicate
Highest priority. Must be eradicated wherever found — required by state law. Includes purple loosestrife and yellow starthistle.
Class B — Control
Widespread but controllable. Control required by county. Includes spotted knapweed, Dalmatian toadflax, Russian olive, and Tree of Heaven.
Class C — Monitor
Widespread and established. Control encouraged but not required. Includes common mullein and ox-eye daisy.