Much more land on Mercer Island is in private ownership than in our local parks or open spaces.  The city has control over parks and open space but we, as property owner, collectively, have control over most of the island.   As a property owner we are also a land managers.  We are responsible for maintaining our property in an earth-friendly, salmon-friendly manner.  Our legacy to the future should be to leave the land better than we found it.

Remove plant invasives

Many of us are privileged to have natural areas on our property.  However, English ivy and Himalayan blackberries overrun much of Mercer Island.  These are not part of the natural environment.  They are foreign invaders that suppress our native plants.  Their shallow roots do not hold the soil and rats live in ivy.  It will take all of us, working together, to control these invasives but it can be done.

Remove invasives such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberries, English holly, English laurel, herb Robert, wild morning glory/bindweed and Japanese knotweed.  These plants suppress native seedlings and/or overrun native plants.  It is especially important to get ivy off of vertical surfaces (trees, walls) because this is where it blooms and fruits.  When you do note remove invasive plants you add to the invasive weed seed pool that then gets distributed even further over our island.  After the invasives have been removed, replant with native plants.

Enhance native wildlife habitat

Manage your natural areas.  Wildlife does best when you have a high canopy, a middle layer of small trees and tall shrubs and a groundcover layer. Natural areas usually most distant from your house. 

·         Remove invasives

·         Plant the right native plant in the right place.  Take into account the plant’s requirements for moisture and light and mature size.

·         Plant native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.

·         Improve habitat for wildlife by not cleaning up.  Leave woodland debris (leaves, needles, cones, twigs, fallen branches, trees, etc.).

·         Leave snags standing where they are not a danger to you or your house.  Sometimes they can just be shortened to make them safe.  Many birds nest and feed in these snags.

·         Create rock and brush piles away from you house in your natural areas.  Large (>4’) piles of debris are not beneficial to habitat, however.  Do not dump yard waste over the edge of your slope.

·         Plant bare or beauty barked areas with native trees, shrubs and ground covers.

·         Reduce the size of your lawn and plant with natives

·         Work with your neighbors to keep the natural areas connected.  The larger the area, the more varied and the greater amount of wildlife it will support.  Think about habitat corridors along streams, on the lake and between you and you neighbors.

Even if you don't have any natural areas in your yard you can still "garden for life". 

·       Plant more plants and the right plants for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.  Once established, native plants generally need less water than non-native species. ·         Reduce or eliminate lawn.  This will increase wildlife habitat and reduce your water usage. ·         Avoid regular shearing and shaping of shrubs to protect their value as cover for birds and other wildlife. ·         Increase layers. Different wildlife species use different layers. Birds travel up and down through vegetation. ·         Minimize the open space between plants. ·         Don't clean up under your shrubs.  Leaves, needles, twigs, cones to provide a natural mulch.

·         Resist the urge to cultivate, this disturbs the natural recycling system of soil processing organisms.

·         Plant with repetition instead of "one of everything".

·         Work with your neighbors to jointly create habitat areas where your properties join. 

To learn more about natural habitats visits Washington's parks to see how nature does it.  Seward Park in Seattle has an excellent native plant landscape garden next to the education building by the entrance. Bellevue Botanical gardens also has a large natural area.