Minimum requirements to earn SBPC Certification

Area – The area must be at least 80% of your yard (front or back) or, for larger areas, at least 300 square feet.
Ecological lawn removal – You must certify that you did not use herbicides to kill your current yard.
Southern California Native plant content – at least 75% of your plant content must be drought-tolerant plants native to Southern California. Of course, wetlands and riparian California native plants are acceptable in association with any water feature. SBPC does not expect you to remove mature trees. Non-natives may be included so long as they do not require traditional irrigation and so long as 75% of all the plants are California natives.

Please note that the use of artificial turf will disqualify your yard from receiving certification. While there are mixed assessments of the impacts of artificial turf, SBPC’s intent is natural habitat and artificial turf is contrary to that goal. SBPC’s position is that artificial turf has an overall negative impact on the environment and the yard. It kills life in the soil underneath it and raises temperatures. And of course, the microplastics that are shed from the artificial turf will end up as plastic pollution.
Food and Water source – A qualifying habitat must include a source of food and water for birds, insects, and other animals. The plants themselves may qualify as a food source. A bird or hummingbird feeder qualifies as well. A birdbath, fountain, or another source of water is required.
Irrigation system – You must certify that you have no irrigation system or that your system is a micro spray or drip-type system exclusively.
Environmentally friendly maintenance – You must commit that you will not use fertilizer, insecticides, or herbicides in the maintenance of your habitat. Natural methods, such as using boiling water or vinegar, are allowed.
Application Fee - You must submit a $25 application fee after SBPC approves your application. Our aluminum certification sign is included in the application fee.

How to qualify for South Bay Parkland Conservancy California Native Habitat certification (and cool sign).

Remove your current lawn in an ecologically friendly way.
Recreate your lawn as a native habitat that meets SBPC minimum requirements.
Fill out the form below describing how your project meets all the requirements specified and email photos of your habitat to jim@southbayparks.org. Make sure you let us know if you will let us publish your native habitat on a map on our website.
After we reply with your application approval, pay the $25 application fee on the SBPC donation page.
Receive and proudly display your genuine, high-quality, all-aluminum, SBPC native habitat sign and be the envy of your neighborhood and a hero to your family, the environment, and our community.

Easy peazy!

Note: Since you will be removing existing grass and replacing it with native, drought-tolerant plants, you may be eligible to apply for the SoCal WaterSmart Turf Replacement Rebate program. See link for details.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

Address of native garden

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

1) Is your habitat 80% of your yard or 300 sq ft?

2) Describe how you removed your old yard

3) Please provide your plant list

4) Do Southern California native plants make up 75% of the plants in your habitat?

5) What type of irrigation system do you have?

6) How does your habitat provide water for birds or animals?

7) How does your habitat provide food for animals, insects, or birds?

8) Do you pledge you will not use non-natural fertilizer, insecticide, and herbicide?

Do we have your permission to publish images of your habitat, your name and address of your habitat?

Yes

No

After you submit your application you can then pay the $25 certification and plaque fee.

Pay $25 certification and plaque fee