Conservation Stories: Rosa Rezansoff

Rosa Rezansoff and her husband wanted to transform their yard into a special space where they could relax and watch birds and pollinators. The Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program helped them achieve that goal.

“Our special space is the garden. We are out there as much as we can be. Even when weather is inclement, we might be hunkered under a tarp in the hammock watching birds. We are both so proud of the growth and life that has become part of this home.”

In 2023 the Rezansoffs converted their side yards and large portions of their front and back yards into Native landscaping.

A true home has a special space. Somewhere to relax and enjoy. For the Rezansoffs, that space is their garden. They originally moved to Birch Bay to be close to their relatives in Canada and Idaho. “Birch Bay has an amazing community and focus on nature. It is so well mixed between Americans and Canadians that we truly felt at home instantly.” However, their yard left a lot to be desired. They wanted to see more pollinators, were annoyed at the level of maintenance their yard required and wanted to be environmental stewards of their property. The Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program (NNLP) was able to assist the Rezansoffs in creating the garden of their dreams.

Since installing native landscaping, their home has been a thriving pollinator habitat with hummingbirds in the spring and bees most of the year. They were able to certify their yard as wildlife habitat with the National Wildlife Federation.

“We had a bit of a vision, but we needed help and advice. It was so great learning about the native plants and being able to choose ones we loved.” – Rosa Rezansoff, 2023 NNLP Participant

The ease of maintenance since the native landscaping was installed allows Rosa and her husband to spend more time enjoying the spaces they love.

The NNLP assists homeowners in converting existing lawns into native landscapes. The program is administered by Whatcom Conservation District, Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District, and Whatcom County Public Works. It provides planning, permitting (if necessary) plants, mulch, weed barrier, and coordinates a planting party for installation. Homes are chosen between close neighbors, so that on planting day neighbors and program staff work together to put plants into the ground. The Rezansoffs participated in the program in the Fall of 2023 and have loved the transformation of their yard into certified backyard wildlife habitat over the past two years.

“Since we participated in the program there is an energy [to the yard], we have so many more birds, small creatures, and all while reducing our watering and weeding! We can enjoy our yard much more. Our favorite part has been watching the Nootka and Cluster Roses bloom and bring in all the bees! [Additionally], I have made some amazing friends, and we have continued our love of gardening while supporting each other.” – Rosa Rezansoff

Currently, the 2025 participants in the NNLP have their mulch installed and are excitedly waiting for their planting parties this October and November. You can sign up to be considered for the 2026 cohort of NNLP, today! The more neighbors who sign up the more likely your neighborhood will be selected.

You can be like Rosa and her husband, creating a special space in your yard and having the time to enjoy it. “The biggest benefit of the program is the ease of maintenance. It is so much easier to weed in mulch!! And if a pesky invasive sprout keeps popping up, we can add weed barrier with more mulch instead of trying to tear up the lawn. We were also able to set up our drip irrigation much easier. It gives us so much more time to enjoy our space when we aren't weeding or watering.”

Sign up today to be considered for the 2026 NNLP!