Conservation Stories: Mike Tuben

Mike Tuben is looking forward to watching his new native plant garden establish and grow, especially if it means less lawn mowing!

“The largest benefit [of the Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program] is less lawn to mow and better erosion control on a hillside.” – Mike Tuben, 2025 Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program Participant 

Mike and his neighbors converted 3,000 square feet of their yard into native landscaping through the Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program (NNLP). 

Mike Tuben is very excited to have less lawn to mow now that he converted 3,000 square feet of their yard into native landscaping. Mike has lived on his current property since 2007, and he has been tired of mowing his hillside since he moved in. When he received a flyer in the mail for the Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program (NNLP), he jumped at the opportunity to make a change. 

NNLP planting occurs during planting parties, where all the neighbors in the program work together, with assistance. On one beautiful October day, Mike and his neighbors managed to plant 853 plants, converting 12,711 square feet of lawn into native landscaping. 

The NNLP provides participating homeowners with planting plans, permitting, plants, mulch, and installation assistance to convert lawns to native landscaping — all free of charge. Mike applied, as did four of his neighbors around Point Whitehorn. Planting occurs during planting parties, where all the landowners in the program work together, with assistance from NNLP partner organizations. The more neighbors who apply, the more likely a neighborhood will be chosen, as Mike and his neighbors were in 2025. On one beautiful October day, they managed to plant 853 plants, converting 12,711 square feet of lawn into native landscaping.  

“Everyone that I met through the [Neighborhood Native Landscaping] Program was helpful and respectful. I thoroughly enjoyed working with such a great group. There are so many benefits with little downsides. Besides less lawn to mow, after a while there is little or no weeding. Having native landscape attracts bees for my fruit trees and vegetable garden. I now have a place in my yard to include some plants native to the Northwest, like huckleberries. It also uses less water, which is at a premium in the summer.”  

Now that Mike has his plants in the ground, he is excited to watch them grow and bloom over the next few years, “I hope the hillside will look more attractive, and the new landscape will absorb some of the water that runs off the road into my garage. I am excited to see the native plants start to produce berries and provide habitat for mammals and beneficial insects.” 

Native landscaping requires no mowing, has reduced weeding and irrigation, supports pollinators, improves habitat, promotes biodiversity, and protects water quality. Now that Mike has his plants in the ground, he is excited to watch them grow and bloom over the next few years, “I hope the hillside will look more attractive, and the new landscape will absorb some of the water that runs off the road into my garage. I am excited to see the native plants start to produce berries and provide habitat for mammals and beneficial insects.”  

In 2025 alone, the NNLP provided 19 properties with 3,050 plants and 563 cubic yards of mulch to convert 41,431 square feet of yards into native landscaping in the Birch Bay and Lake Whatcom watersheds. If you would like to convert your lawn into a low maintenance garden that supports local pollinators, fill out the interest form on the NNLP website. The 2026 neighborhoods will be selected this spring.   

“I would sincerely recommend NNLP if my neighbors were interested in a low maintenance alternative to lawn. I have wanted to do this for a while and, with Katharine and her team, as well as my neighbors, I was able to accomplish this goal.” 

The NNLP is a partnership between Whatcom County, Whatcom Conservation District, and Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District.