Turn Your Yard
into a Native Habitat
Invite wildlife home. Discover how small changes in your own backyard can protect Lincoln County's unique coastal ecosystems and help native species thrive.
Native plants are essential to biodiversity. They provide food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for wildlife that non-native plants cannot, supporting everything from insects and birds to soil organisms and fungi. When you choose native, you restore the web of life that once thrived where you live.
Let's Get Started
Match Your Site Conditions
Before planting, ensure you understand the specific ecological requirements of your yard. Coastal Oregon features microclimates ranging from salt-spray exposed bluffs to sheltered inland valleys. Select plants that naturally thrive in your observed sun, soil, and moisture levels to minimize maintenance and maximize success.
Select Your Coastal Oregon Palette
To combat the coastal climate, select resilient varieties that naturally thrive west of the Coast Range. Never harvest from wild ecosystems; source your stock locally through resources like the Native Plant Society of Oregon or regional Soil and Water Conservation Districts. We recommend you start by adding a trio of plants—a small tree, shrub, and ground cover.
Step-by-Step Installation Plan
Site Preparation: Remove non-native turf or invasive weeds like English Ivy or Butterfly bush.
Plant in the Fall between September and March to allow root systems to establish.
Mulching: Use clean wood chips to retain moisture.
Soil Amendment: Native plants rarely need fertilizer; apply compost for health.
Water until established to support new growth.
Local Plant Sourcing
Always seek out nurseries specializing in Oregon natives. The Midcoast Chapter of NPSO and local Lincoln County soil and water conservation districts offer annual plant sales and recommended vendor lists to ensure your plants come from local genetic stock.
Plant Finder Tool
Recommended Native Plant Resources
Comprehensive database for filtering Oregon native plants by habitat, flower color, and coastal ecoregion profile.
Extensive national database with in-depth details on soil preferences and growth habits for Oregon coastal species.
Identifies and ranks native plants by their ability to support pollinators like butterflies and moths in coastal habitats.
Hyper-local guides focused on plant communities specifically adapted to the Lincoln County coastline and shorelines.
The Joy of Native Habitats
"Replacing my lawn with native salal and lupine changed everything. The garden is now alive with the hum of bees and the vibrant colors of visiting butterflies!"
Sarah J., Newport
"Every morning I watch chickadees and nuthatches through my window. It's incredibly peaceful to see them enjoying the berries from our native shrubs."
David M., Lincoln City
"The maintenance is so much lower, and the reward is so much higher. Seeing a host of butterflies flittering in my yard makes my day."
Elena R., South Beach
Habitat Restoration Checklist
The Habitat Restoration Checklist will be available soon. In the meantime, consult the recommendations above.