Rewilding Urban Landscapes: Transforming Yards into
Thriving Native Plant Ecosystems
At Urban Rewilding, we use native plant landscaping to transform traditional yards into ecosystems that benefit people and the environment. Restoring native plant species helps increase biodiversity, solve issues like erosion, filter air and water, create habitat, and integrate resilience into our urban landscapes.
Rewilding is more than landscaping; it’s a way to mitigate the ecological impacts of urban living and create food security for our communities.
The Pacific Northwest: A Temperate Rainforest
The Pacific Northwest is a lush, breathtaking, temperate rainforest that draws people to its natural beauty. But here’s the reality: the vibrant landscapes we admire were once part of our backyards—before grass took over.
We can restore that magic through rewilding, transforming sterile urban yards into thriving ecosystems reminiscent of the region's native splendor.
Unlike traditional landscaping, native plant landscapes require no chemicals, fertilizers, or excessive watering. Over time, they demand less maintenance while delivering far more significant ecological benefits.
Why Native Plants Are Essential
Native plants are perfectly adapted to the local environment, thanks to thousands of years of coevolution with regional soils, climate, and wildlife. This symbiotic relationship makes them more resilient and beneficial than non-native ornamental plants.
Native plants also create pollinators, birds, and other wildlife habitats, establishing interconnected ecosystems in urban and suburban areas.
However, after years of invasive species and urban development, ecosystems can't regenerate independently. Native species often require intentional reintroduction to thrive again.
Our Latest Case Study: Transforming a Turf Lawn into a Native Plant Wildflower Meadow
This project replaced a traditional turf lawn with a thriving wildflower meadow designed to support biodiversity, pollinators, and wildlife while reducing water use and restoring ecological function.
A diverse array of native plants, including Lupine, Nootka Rose, Mock Orange, Narrowleaf Milkweed, and Western Larch, were strategically selected to provide habitat, food, and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife. Water features were incorporated to create hydration stations for pollinators and birds, further enriching the ecosystem.
Native grasses like Tufted Hairgrass and Fescue improve soil health and moisture retention through several mechanisms:
Root Structure: These grasses develop extensive root systems that penetrate deep into the soil, enhancing its structure and aeration. This allows for better water infiltration and reduces surface runoff.
Organic Matter: As native grasses grow and die back, they contribute organic matter to the soil. This organic material improves soil fertility and enhances the soil's ability to retain moisture.
Soil Microbial Activity: The presence of native grasses fosters a diverse community of soil microorganisms. These organisms play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and improving soil health, supporting better moisture retention.
Reduced Erosion: The dense growth of native grasses helps to stabilize the soil, reducing erosion and loss of topsoil. This stability contributes to improved soil health and moisture retention over time.
Water-Holding Capacity:Â The organic matter and improved soil structure created by native grasses increase the soil's water-holding capacity, allowing it to retain moisture for longer periods and reducing the need for supplemental irrigation.
The transformation resulted in a self-sustaining habitat teeming with life. Pollinators now thrive on the abundant nectar sources, and birds find shelter and nourishment from plants like Snowbrush Ceanothus and Bitter Cherry.
The meadow enhances biodiversity and contributes to carbon sequestration and water conservation, demonstrating the potential for urban spaces to support ecological balance. This once-conventional lawn is now a vibrant sanctuary for local wildlife and a model for sustainable landscaping.
The top photos are the most recent from November 2024; the photos get older as you scroll down the page and begin in August 2024, when the installation was completed.
Why Rewilding Works
Consider it on a micro-scale: rewilding just 500 square feet of lawn provides numerous ecological advantages.
In a span of 20 years, a rewilded area has the potential to absorb up to 10 tons of carbon dioxide, contributing to the mitigation of climate change.
The plants provide sustenance for numerous pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and moths, which subsequently support up to 100 different insect species.
Birds, such as sparrows, warblers, and woodpeckers, also thrive in these spaces, benefiting from the shelter, food, and nesting sites provided by native vegetation.
Additionally, a rewilded space can provide abundant food sources, offering fruits, nuts, seeds, and edible plants that support local wildlife and human foragers.
Beyond supporting biodiversity, rewilding helps conserve water by reducing the need for supplemental irrigation. The deep-rooted plants can retain moisture, lowering water consumption by up to 50%.
This self-sustaining ecosystem minimizes the need for chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers, keeping harmful substances out of the environment. Overall, a rewilded 500 sq ft area contributes to climate resilience, biodiversity, and ecosystem health while providing food and conserving natural resources.
Rewilding for Community Benefits
Rewilding your yard doesn’t just benefit your property—it strengthens the entire community. Here’s how:
Food Security:Â Small urban forests can produce nutrient-rich food like berries, greens, and mushrooms, reducing reliance on external food systems.
Medicinal Plants:Â Many native plants have medicinal properties that have been used for centuries to treat common ailments.
Biodiversity Hotspots:Â Native landscapes support local wildlife, from bees and butterflies to birds and small mammals.
How Urban Rewilding Can Help
Landscape Design
We’ll evaluate your yard’s sun exposure, soil quality, and existing plants to design a personalized rewilding plan. Whether you want to create a walkable native plant lawn, a food forest, or a rain garden, we’ll help you map out your vision.
Landscape Installation
Urban Rewilding specializes in installing native plant landscapes that are both beautiful and functional. Our licensed and insured team can plant trees, shrubs, ferns, and mosses while addressing issues like erosion and water damage.
Gardening Services
We offer regular maintenance to ensure your yard thrives. Our eco-friendly methods include removing invasive species, cultivating healthy soil, and adding biodiversity by propagating native plants from other yards.
Let’s Rewild Your Yard!
If you’re ready to transition from a traditional lawn to a sustainable, native plant landscape, Urban Rewilding is here to help. We don’t use chemicals, fertilizers, or gas-powered tools—just nature’s own processes to create thriving ecosystems.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation, learn more about our services, or get started on your rewilding journey. Together, we can restore biodiversity, create food security, and transform urban landscapes into vibrant ecosystems.
Let’s bring nature back to your backyard!