Programs & Events

Grow a Wild Back Yard

Residential yard full of native wildflowers

Help wildlife and earn rewards from the comfort of your own home! We can help wildlife thrive with small actions in our own back yards or adopted gardens. Download a form below and track your progress with simple checklists and tips from SMP experts.

How to Participate

Explore the participation form: there are four levels from which to choose. Find which level is right for you.

Keep track of your progress throughout the year on your form.

When you’ve completed all required steps, return the form to receive your rewards (see below for details).

Are you unsure where to begin? Check out the How to Grow a Wild Back Yard outline and full guide.

Program Focus Areas

A native plant is one that has traditionally existed in our region without introduction from another area. Native plants are critical to the wildlife that call Ohio home – they’ve evolved together to exist. Choosing a native plant over a non-native species makes a big impact on our ecosystem! 

Find suggestions for swapping in native plants in our Guide to Common Invasive Plants.

Check whether your plant is native on the USDA Plants Database.

View a pdf listing of Complete Regional Native Plants.

View a PDF listing of native plant landscapers.

Your yard is your escape, but it’s also a home for many other living creatures! Consider inviting wildlife into your yard with small adjustments to help them thrive. Here are resources to help you get started:

Bird collision reduction  
 
Reduce pesticides/fertilizers  
 
Switch to bug bulbs
 
Host a rare species in your yard (email SMP)

Container gardening with native plants

See our program form for the full list of ways to improve habitat quality!

Traditional lawn practices are not always ecologically friendly. Wild Back Yards participants are invited to reduce their ecological footprint using several tactics outlined on the program form.
 
Consider these ideas:

Reduce lawn area  
 
Install a rain barrel  
 
Install a rain garden
 
Use ecologically friendly de-icers
 
Use natural soil amendments  
 
Install soaker hose or drip line for garden irrigation  
 
Employ responsible pharmaceutical disposal
 
Use integrated pest management
 
Compost yard waste and kitchen scraps  
 
Properly dispose of household chemicals
 
Discontinue tillage
 
Position tree/shrub plantings to optimize heating/cooling efficiency  
 
Upcycle materials for yard features
 
Prevent erosion on property  
 
Reduce impervious surface area  
 
See our program form for the full list of ways to improve your ecological footprint!

Together, we can make a big impact! Share this program with a friend and show us your progress as you “Grow a Wild Back Yard.”
 
Install a free Wild Back Yards sign (available for pick-up at nature centers and the SMP administrative office)

Attend a free Wild Back Yards naturalist program

Track and post wildlife visitors on iNaturalist and join the Wild Back Yard iNaturalist project.

Sign up for SMP volunteer information

Consider a donation to the SMP Foundation’s Conservation Fund
 
See our program form for the full list of ways to spread the word!

Get Rewarded

Rewards are free for Summit County residents. Out-of-county residents pay $10 for their Wild Back Yards rewards. Please note, all reward levels are available on a one-per-household basis. 
 
Turn in your form and receive your rewards at the park district’s Administrative Offices (975 Treaty Line Rd., Akron) during regular business hours.

Grow a Wild Back Yard

How to Participate

Program Focus Areas

Native Planting

Invasive Plant Management

Habitat Quality

Ecological Footprint

Spread the Word

Get Rewarded

Sign Up!