Today I met with a Portland Audubon Society/Columbia Land Trust specialist for my site visit as part of the Backyard Habitat Certification Program. I held back from pulling what I believed to be invasive species in order to learn more about the difference between a “weed” and an “invasive species.” My inspector/guide was great, and we walked my property in the cold rain without judgement as I showed her some of the things I’m proud of (Natalie: “and here I planted alpine strawberries and Oregon stonecrop,” Guide: “and wild ginger, I see,” Natalie: “YES.”). And some of the creepy things I’m not sure of. All in all, the Doug Fir we inherited, and the Oregon Oak we had planted, earned me points. As did keeping Dillweed the Cat inside, and partaking in the Metro pesticide free pledge.
Brine and Grit 