Volunteer with Nature in My Backyard
Jane Ellison
Nature in My Backyard (NMB) is a program designed to address the global biodiversity crisis by bringing research-based information to homeowners for improving habitat on their property. A pair of trained volunteers will visit clients' yards and identify the non-native invasive plants to be removed, suggest removal techniques and discuss native flowers, trees, and shrubs appropriate to the site that provide food and shelter for birds and pollinators. This is a step-by-step process over time, and it is not necessary for homeowners to remove beloved non-native plants that are not invasive, nor take out all of the lawn. NMB offers well curated resource lists, and the first step is always “Plant a Native Tree”.
As a volunteer, training will consist of learning about non-native invasive plants in our area, native plants with which to replace the non-natives, site assessment, and some simple rules of design. The information will be presented virtually to view at one's leisure. There will be a Meet and Greet event on May 3, after which prospective volunteers will begin shadowing trained practitioners in clients' yards for 1 1/2 hour sessions until they are comfortable with the process. Good listening skills are a must!
For more information and to access the volunteer sign-up form please contact:
Jane Ellison, natureinmybackyard@clevelandaudubon.org