NIMBY (Nature in My Backyard)
The NIMBY program, sponsored by the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland and the Shaker Lakes Garden Club, is designed to help homeowners build biodiversity in their own backyard. Much of the inspiration for the program comes from the writings of Doug Tallamy, an ecologist at the University of Delaware who has authored several books, including Nature’s Best Hope, which formed the basis for the Homegrown National Park program (https://homegrownnationalpark.org).
NIMBY has a certification program like that of other some other conservation organizations. The steps are detailed on the program’s website (https://clevelandaudubon.org/nature-in-my-backyard/) and include removing native species, planting native plants, and providing habitat for wildlife, among other actions. If you choose to certify and follow the necessary steps, you can purchase a sign to display in your yard, which helps publicize NIMBY to others. The purchase offsets the cost of the sign and benefits the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland.
What makes this program unique?
What makes the NIMBY program stand out compared to other conservation programs is that you can request a site visit to help you get started. A visit typically lasts an hour and a half and allows you to get advice from two to three volunteers who are knowledgeable about plants and creating wildlife habit. There is no cost for the visit. It is a great way to learn how to identify non-native plants, especially those that are invasive, and to get advice about how to make your property more welcoming to wildlife. Volunteers ask you about your personal goals and preferences, and base their advice on your responses, since every yard and homeowner is different.
If you would like to schedule a site visit, click the “Register Now” link on the NIMBY home page (https://clevelandaudubon.org/nature-in-my-backyard/) and select this option on the online form: “I would like to schedule volunteer gardeners to come to my home and consult with me.”
If you are simply interested in learning more about native plants and creating wildlife habitat, the “Resources” button on the same NIMBY home page links to lists of native plants, sources for purchasing native plants, quality reference books, free nature apps you can use to for identification help, field trips, and relevant online videos. The video listed at the top (Doug Tallamy Nature’s Best Hope; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLG65ROG7vQ) is a great introduction to the idea of creating wildlife habitat at home.