Residential Certification

For information on certifying a non-residential property, email BCH(at)stlouisaudubon.org

Non-Native Invasive Plants

Non-native invasive plants are species that are not from the St. Louis region that degrade habitat quality for native plants and animals.

CRITERIA 

Silver: Bush (Amur) Honeysuckle Lonicera maackii (50%), Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica (50%), Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei (vertical surfaces), English Ivy Hedera helix (vertical surfaces), Beefsteak plant Perilla frutescens, Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata, Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum, Sweet Autumn Clematis Clematis terniflora

Gold: Bush (Amur) Honeysuckle Lonicera maackii (75%), Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica (75%), Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei (vertical surfaces), English Ivy Hedera helix (100%), all other Silver plants, Burning Bush Euonymus alatus, Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima, Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina) Nandina domestica, Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis, Autumn Olive  Elaeagnus umbellate, Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum, Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora, Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus, Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica / Polygonum cuspidatum / Reynoutria japonica

Platinum: Bush (Amur) Honeysuckle Lonicera maackii (100%), Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica (100%), Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei (100%), English Ivy Hedera helix (100%), all other Gold plants, Callery (Bradford) Pear Pyrus calleryana, Johnson Grass Sorghum halepense, Privet Lingustrum spp., Mimosa (Silk) Tree Albizia julibrissin, Siberian Elm Ulmus pumila, Lacebark (Chinese) Elm Ulmus parvifolia, Amur Maple Acer ginnala, Golden Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea

RELEVANT PAGES 

• Non-Native Invasive Plants

• Plant Identification

Native Plants

Native plants are species that are from the St. Louis region and thus are adapted to local conditions and provide the best resources for wildlife.

Criteria:

• Landscape 5% (Silver), 15% (Gold), or 50% (Platinum) of property with native plants 

• Include 2 (Silver), 3 (Gold), or 4 (Platinum) canopy layers (Ground Layer, Shrubs, Understory Trees, Canopy Trees)

• Have 15 (Silver), 25 (Gold) or 50 (Platinum) native plant species 

Wildlife Stewardship

Wildlife stewardship refers to actions that support animals. 

Criteria: 3 for silver, 4 for gold, 6 for platinum

• Install at least one avian nest or roost box monitored to keep out non-native birds (European starlings, English house sparrows, and pigeons)

• Have at least one wildlife water feature (regularly cleaned bird bath, bubbler, pond, natural waterway)

• Follow at least 2 native bee stewardship practices 

• Install at least one properly installed bat house installed 15-20 ft above the ground, mounted to a building or pole (not a tree)

• Do not have free-roaming outdoor cats (enclosures such as catios or use of a cat leash/harness are acceptable)

• Install Audubon-approved bird collision prevention installation to reduce window strikes

  • • Any recommendations from Audubon National or  American Bird Conservancy are acceptable

• Do no do broad insecticide spraying for mosquitoes

• Complete a Dark Sky Home Lighting Assessment

Stormwater Management

Stormwater management refers to actions that control water during storm events. 

Criteria: 1 for silver, 2 for gold, 3 for platinum

• Eliminate the use of all synthetic pesticides & fertilizers (except for application of herbicides to eradicate non-native invasive plants)

• Reduce the amount of manicured turf grass and impervious surfaces (cement, asphalt, etc.) to less than 10% of the property (minus the footprint of buildings)

• Install at least one rainwater harvesting system, such as a rain barrel or cistern

• Plant or maintain at least 1 native tree or shrub for every 1,000 square feet of plantable space to absorb rainwater or stabilize slopes

• Install a rain garden or vegetated bioswale 

• Install a vegetative buffer strip at least 3 feet wide or green roof to absorb and filter runoff

• Maintain proper pet waste disposal to prevent stormwater contamination

  1. • • droppings should be regularly collected for disposal or composted in a sealed container.

Education and Volunteerism 

Education and volunteerism refers to actions that further your learning or are structured opportunities for others to learn from you. 

Criteria: None for silver, 1 for gold, 2 for platinum

• Participates in wildlife-oriented community science, such as the local ones listed here 

• Organize or host a Bring Conservation Home supported education event

  • include info about how people can do this -- maybe just make a google form that you get notified about when there's new responses

• Property accepted into at least one native plant/wildlife garden tour such as the Native Plant Garden Tour or Sustainable Backyard Tour 

• Take more than one naturescaping class such as STLCC-Meramec's Go Native or Native Plant School. Webinars from Partners for Native Landscaping, Grow Native!, or Wild Ones are acceptable

• Volunteer regularly with St. Louis Audubon or other nature conservation groups such as Wild Ones or Shaw Nature Reserve

• Become a Master Naturalist through the Missouri or Illinois Master Naturalists or St. Louis Community College