The Sandfort Story

Bring Conservation Home

OUR BACKGROUND

• MDC Volunteer Naturalists, Sierra Club, Forest ReLeaf

• Hiking, Biking, Camping, Canoeing, Gardening

• Oak Trees from Acorns, Game Camera

• More About the Camera Later

• Scouting, Outdoor Education, Bird Feeders

• School Programs on Birds, Bees, Butterflies

• Linda Virga at the Long School

OUR LANDSCAPE

• West County Neighborhood w/0.25 Acre Lots

• Lots of Shade from Large Trees; Sun in Front

• Creek in Back on Common Ground

• Invasive Honeysuckle

• Mix of Natives and Ornamentals

WHY WE APPLIED TO BCH

• Matched Our Interests

• Captured Our Imagination

• Recognized Group

• Affordable

• Selling Ideas not Stuff

• Blended Our MDC Training with Making an

Impact at HOME

• Our Own Contribution to Solve Large Issues

With Habitat at Home

THE PROCESS

• We Filled Out a Short Application

• Mitch Called, Described the Program,

Answered Our ?’s and Scheduled Us for a Visit

• Mitch and Karen Gave Us 3 Hours of Their

Time

• Walked Our Landscape With Us

• Asked Us ?’s to Determine Our Interests

• Took Pictures and Reviewed Their Ideas

WHAT WE GOT FROM IT

• Resource Packet With Native Plant and Other

References

• A Preliminary and Then 4-Page List of Ideas

Unique to Our Space for Habitat Creation

• Includes Plant Suggestions

• A Workable, Useable, Doable Guide for

Getting Something Done

SITE VISIT REPORT

• Written Survey Report

• Includes List of

Suggested Species

• Filled with Choices

• Not a Mandate

• Lists Steps to Certify

• NOT a Design Guide

WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT

• No Mandates, No Pressure

• Work at Our Own Pace

• Respectful of What We Already Had in Place

• Gave Helpful Suggestions—Knowledgeable

• Written Ideas by Habitat Area With Plant List

• Easy for Us to Make a Design and Create

Action Plan

• Purchase Process Much Easier

WHAT WE’VE DONE SO FAR

• Added Native Flowers & Shrubs; Created New Beds

• Eliminated Many Non-Natives

• Purchased With a Purpose—Shaw NR & Greenscape

• Scouted for Wildflower and Plant Sales

• Photographic Record of Blooming Plants (Amazing!)

• Added Extras—Solitary Bee House (Independent Idea)

• Sharing With Realtor’s Box in Yard

WE HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED

SILVER

FOR OUR HABITAT

CHALLENGES

• Critters—Large and Small

FUTURE PLANS

• Rain Barrels & Water Feature

• Possible Bird Bubbler in Backyard

• Continue to Expand Beds

• Inventory/Labeling of Plants

• Plan to Invite Mitch & Karen for Return Visit

• Going for GOLD Certification