Welcome to My Yard – Conejo Valley Audubon

A Simple Way to Start Welcoming Birds

Not every habitat transformation needs to start with a full yard conversion.

Welcome to My Yard is a new, small-scale program from the Conejo Valley Audubon Society designed to make it easy, and approachable, to begin creating bird-friendly spaces at home.

Whether you’re new to native plants or simply short on time, this program helps you take the first step toward supporting local bird habitats, without feeling overwhelmed.

Why The Program Exists

While programs like Lawns to Habitat are incredibly impactful, they can also feel like a big undertaking.

Between soil prep, irrigation, and plant selection, even the best intentions can stall.

Welcome to My Yard is designed to:

Lower the barrier to entry
Help more people get started
Turn interest into action
Grow a more active, engaged community

What Welcome to My Yard Participants Receive

Selected participants will receive:

A plant credit with our two participating native plant nurseries
Guidance on soil amendments, as recommended
An illustrated yard sign: “Welcoming Birds to My Yard!” (featuring a QR code linking to CVAS resources)

This is a smaller, more manageable grant, but one that still makes a meaningful difference for birds and biodiversity.

More Than a Garden

This program is about more than planting. It’s about welcoming:

Birds into your yard
People into conservation
New members into CVAS
Participation at every level

It’s a starting point for individuals, for neighborhoods, and for a growing community of people who care about local habitats.

Who Can Apply

This program is open to Conejo Valley Audubon Society members only.

We welcome:

First-time applicants
Past participants in Lawns to Habitat or Ashes to Habitat
Anyone curious about getting started with native plants

*Note: A waiting period between larger and smaller grants may apply.

Program Focus

To start, the program will focus on:

Front yards only
Highly visible, community-facing spaces
Creating ripple effects through neighborhood awareness

Those “Welcome” signs aren’t just symbolic—they’re an invitation for others to get involved.

What We’re Looking For

Priority will be given to applicants who:

Are interested in learning about local bird habitats
Want to deepen their connection to nearby nature
Are open to sharing their experience with others

This could include:

Informal neighborhood conversations
Hosting a casual “slow birding” walk
Helping others take their first steps

No expertise required—just curiosity and enthusiasm.

The Bigger Picture

By making habitat creation more accessible, Welcome to My Yard helps:

Expand bird-friendly spaces across the Conejo Valley
Increase visibility for native plant gardening
Create new opportunities for community engagement
Inspire future participation in larger programs like Lawns to Habitat

Interested in Going Bigger?

If you’re ready for a more comprehensive transformation, learn more about our
Lawns to Habitat program.

Get Started

Applications for Welcome to My Yard will open soon.

Have you previously APPLIED FOR a Lawns to Habitat grant from the Conejo Valley Audubon Society? (required)

Have you previously RECEIVED a Lawns to Habitat grant from the Conejo Valley Audubon Society? (required)

Name (required)

Email (required)

Phone Number (required)

Street Address of the Yard (required; Please include CITY and ZIP)

Approximate size of the yard you want to convert (required; i.e. 50' x 50' = 2500 sq ft)

What is currently in the yard? (required)

Where is the area located? (required)

When do you plan to be ready to plant (turf removed; month and year)? (required)

Why do you want to win this grant? If applying for additional “Ashes” stipend and extension, please indicate here and in timeline question above. (required)

If you win, do you grant CVAS permission to use images and video of you and your land transformation for marketing materials and other uses? Your address will not be publicized. (required)

Do you have any outdoor cats? (required)

Are you interested in participating in our Bird-Friendly Garden Tour once your conversion is complete?

How did you first hear about Lawns to Habitat? (required)

WAIVER OF LIABILITY
"In consideration of being permitted to participate in the Conejo Valley Audubon Society’s Lawns to Habitat or Ashes to Habitat Program, I do hereby release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue the Conejo Valley Audubon Society from any and all claims resulting in personal injury and/or property loss arising from participation in said Lawns to Habitat or Ashes to Habitat Program. Grantee agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Conejo Valley Audubon Society and its agents from and against any liability or loss arising from using the “Lawns to Habitat” or "Ashes to Habitat" program and/or grant, unless such liability or loss is the result of Conejo Valley Audubon Society’s sole negligence or willful misconduct.
Grantee acknowledges that some fire departments, including Ventura County, consider large plants within five (5) feet of a house a fire hazard and that both HOAs and home insurance companies may have their own landscaping standards or requirements.

Additional Resources

Join CVAS
Sign up for updates
Learn about native plants