Green Neighbors Program

The Clark County Green Neighbors Program is coordinated by Clark County Public Health’s Solid Waste and Environmental Outreach to assist citizens with developing more sustainable lifestyles and building a strong environmental community in Clark County. Solid waste regional planning and programs are a cooperative effort of Battle Ground, Camas, Clark County, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal, and Yacolt.

Clark County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on this website. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Clark County, nor any agency, officer, or employee of Clark County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at their own risk.

In offering information on the web, Clark County seeks to balance our requirement for public access with the privacy needs of individual citizens. Information that appears on the Clark County website is part of the public record. By law, it is available for public access, whether by telephone request, visiting county offices, or through other means.

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Contact Details

Call us
(360) 397-2121 x4352

The Natural Gardens at Pacific Community Park provide an opportunity to view natural gardening techniques in action, see native plants in the landscape and take inspiration home to your own garden.

The demonstration gardens are meant to show different ways to practice earth-friendly techniques at home. Natural gardening reduces the use of synthetic chemicals to increase beneficial organism activity, enhance habitat and wildlife areas, and contribute to the overall health of the community. There are eight beautiful backyard example gardens that fit any yard size or preference. The gardens are located at NE 18th St & NE 172nd Ave in Vancouver, WA (Click for Google Map).

We have interactive maps of five of the demonstration gardens here online, along with a full plant library for information about each of the native plants used. Interactive maps for the Native Plant Garden, the Dog-Friendly Garden, and the Rain Garden will be coming this summer!

Interactive Garden Maps  Plant Library  More Resources

 Demonstration gardens

Volunteer

Clark County Public Health oversees this site and relies upon volunteers to assist with maintenance and improvements. If you'd like to help out, please email [email protected] for more information.
 

For even more ideas...

Visit the City of Vancouver's Backyard Wildlife Garden located at the Water Resources Education Center. You can discover many new ideas and see a lot of wildlife!

You might also enjoy visiting the Wildlife Botanical Gardens in Brush Prairie. Naturescaping of Southwest Washington is a non-profit, all volunteer group dedicated to educating and encouraging homeowners to create wildlife sanctuaries in their own backyards. They have a demonstration garden as well as workshops throughout the year! 

 

Related: Community Gardens | Natural Garden Tour

 

Clark County Green Neighbors Program manages the community gardens at Pacific Community Park in east Vancouver. There are 19 plots, each 4 x 16 feet, that are rented out annually. Gardeners are required to use natural gardening practices (i.e. no herbicides, pesticides, etc.). In February we begin the process to renew and assign garden plots for the growing season. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list, please email us at [email protected].

Natural Gardens at Pacific Community Park
NE 18th St & NE 172nd Ave
Vancouver, WA 98684

Washington State University Clark County Extension manages community gardens at Heritage Farm in west Vancouver. They provide 84 rental plots, each 20 x 20 feet. A limited number of disabled-accessible plots are available. For more information, contact Jodee Nickel.

78th Street Heritage Farm
1919 NE 78th Street
Vancouver, WA 98665
 

Related articles: Natural Garden Tours | Composting

pp community garden crina 2020 cropped

What is Grasscycling?

Grasscycling is a simple, natural way of recycling grass and returning water and nutrients to the soil. It builds a healthier, more natural lawn and helps you manage grass clippings on-site instead of hauling them off.

Mulch mowing is the most common and easiest type of Grasscycling, but you can also Grasscycle by adding grass clippings to your compost pile, using them as mulch or blending them with soil in your garden or flower beds.

Read more

 

Related articles: Naturally Beautiful Backyards | Composting

grasscycling article

Why Grasscycle?

Build a Healthier Lawn

  • Grass clippings from mulch mowing decompose quickly, returning valuable water and nutrients back to the soil.
  • Mulch mowing can provide up to ¼ to ½ of a lawn’s fertilizer needs.
  • Grasscycling reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

Save Time and Money!

  • Reduce disposal costs by not hauling off grass clippings.
  • Reduce peak season demand for organics collection, which helps keep utility rates down.
  • Avoid having to empty awkward mower bags every time you mow.

Want to learn about a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to lawn care?

Watch the informational video and learn more about how you can start Grasscycling!

Conservation is Important

We seem to have plenty of water in Clark County — so why do we need to conserve it?

It may feel like it rains all the time, but we get very little rainfall in Clark County during the summer months. This dry season is also the time when people start using water outdoors – causing demand for water to double. For this reason, summer is the most important time to conserve water.

Water, water everywhere – and only three percent to drink. Really! Only three percent of the water on our planet is fresh water. Everyone knows we need clean drinking water in order to live. We also need freshwater to water our crops, give us fish to eat, light our homes, clean our homes and clothes, and even provide recreation.

On average, each American’s water footprint is about 32,911 glasses of water each day. Feel full? Certainly you don’t drink that much water each day. It is estimated that only eight percent of worldwide water use is for drinking water, bathing, cooking, sanitation, and gardening. Turns out that most of the fresh water is used to make goods you consume, grow crops you eat, and generate energy for your home.

 

Related articles: Conserving water in your garden | Energy Effiency

 

Ceiling Fan

A ceiling fan is a magical appliance. During the summer, it creates a wind chill effect and can keep a hot room cool. In the winter, it redistributes warm air that has risen up back down to where the room’s occupants are. Ideally, ceiling fans work best with their blades 7–9 feet above the floor and 10–12 inches below the ceiling. Larger blades will move air better, too. And always look for the Energy Star seal on the appliance—it will definitely save you money over time.

Energystar TV

It is important to be a mindful energy consumer with your television. As with all appliances, look for the Energy Star label. These models are, on average, over 40 percent more energy efficient than standard models, and they include everything from standard to the largest flatscreen LCD and plasma models.

Believe you me, the energy savings make a difference, especially when 39 million televisions shipped to the United States in 2011, and 19 million of these were 40 inches or larger.

Wood stove

Burning wood involves some compromises. Modern woodstoves produce much, much less air pollution than older models but they still emit as much as 100 times more pollution than oil or gas furnaces, inside and outside your home. Many people do prefer this type of heat for many reasons including cost and availability of fuel. It does contribute less to global warming than burning fossil fuels. The SW Clean Air Agency has some great information about using your woodstove more efficiently.

Even better, though, is the pellet stove, which is much cleaner than any woodstove. And because pellets are made from renewable resources (like wood chips and corn husks, and other timber and agricultural waste), they’re usually considered a good environmental choice.

LED/Halogen Bulbs

Wherever possible, replace your incandescent lightbulbs with low wattage compact flourescent (CFL) bulbs or, even better, light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.

The energy savings are incomparable: A standard 60 watt incandescent bulb provides 13 to 14 lumens per watt, whereas an equivalent CFL provides 55 to 70 lumens per watt and an LED provides 60 to 100 lumens per watt. What’s more is that an LED bulb will last you a long time, some models lasting 25 years. Lighting accounts for 6% of a house’s energy use—CFL and LED bulbs will get you your money’s worth.

New bulb standards are changing the way you’ll shop for lightbulbs. You used to buy for watts, but now you’ll shop for lumens, which tell us how bright a bulb burns.

  • 100 watt bulbs are about 1600 lumens
  • 75 watt bulbs are about 1100 lumens
  • 60 watt bulbs are about 800 lumens
  • 40 watt bulbs are about 450 lumens

Thermostat

Keep your thermostat set to the lowest setting to which you are comfortable. If possible, keep your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the heating season. Space heating accounts for 45% of your home’s energy use, so even minor adjustments can go a long way.

If you think your heating isn’t doing what it should, look around your home to see what may be causing the situation:

  • Insufficient insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors
  • Uninsulated, loose, or leaking furnace ductwork
  • Dirty furnace filters
  • Open fireplaces (more heat is lost up the chimney than into the room)
  • Air leaks around windows, doors, and walls

Couch

The three R’s of sustainable furniture—recondition, reuse, and recycle. Look to redo your furniture, buy secondhand, or get creative before buying new.

Understandably, decor is a little tough when only working with old materials. Fortunately, there are ways to lower the negative impact of the furniture on the environment and your health. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council’s seal, which certifies timber that is cut in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Greenguard also certifies safe, low-emission products and materials for indoor use, including furniture.

In general, look for the following sustainable marks of furniture:

  • Paints, stains, and finishes that contain low or no volatile organic compounds
  • Reduced use of glues, sealants, and formaldehyde
  • Natural fabrics, organic cotton, recycled fabric content, and toxin-free upholstery
  • 100% natural latex foam
  • Use of materials that have been and can be recycled
  • Minimal packaging
  • Locally manufactured

Lightswitch

Lighting accounts for 6% of a house’s energy use, so it’s simple: turn off the lights when you’re not in the room. You already know that, though. This just Green Neighbors nudging you off that comfy couch to turn off the kitchen light.

Books

Like to read? Consider using your local library or used bookstore before purchasing new books. If you haven’t been to the library in awhile, you might be surprised at all the new things they have to offer.

  • Ceiling Fan

    A ceiling fan is a magical appliance. During the summer, it creates a wind chill effect and can keep a hot room cool. In the winter, it redistributes warm air that has risen up back down to where the room’s occupants are. Ideally, ceiling fans work best with their blades 7–9 feet above the floor and 10–12 inches below the ceiling. Larger blades will move air better, too. And always look for the Energy Star seal on the appliance—it will definitely save you money over time.

  • Energystar TV

    It is important to be a mindful energy consumer with your television. As with all appliances, look for the Energy Star label. These models are, on average, over 40 percent more energy efficient than standard models, and they include everything from standard to the largest flatscreen LCD and plasma models.

    Believe you me, the energy savings make a difference, especially when 39 million televisions shipped to the United States in 2011, and 19 million of these were 40 inches or larger.

  • Wood stove

    Burning wood involves some compromises. Modern woodstoves produce much, much less air pollution than older models but they still emit as much as 100 times more pollution than oil or gas furnaces, inside and outside your home. Many people do prefer this type of heat for many reasons including cost and availability of fuel. It does contribute less to global warming than burning fossil fuels. The SW Clean Air Agency has some great information about using your woodstove more efficiently.

    Even better, though, is the pellet stove, which is much cleaner than any woodstove. And because pellets are made from renewable resources (like wood chips and corn husks, and other timber and agricultural waste), they’re usually considered a good environmental choice.

  • LED/Halogen Bulbs

    Wherever possible, replace your incandescent lightbulbs with low wattage compact flourescent (CFL) bulbs or, even better, light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.

    The energy savings are incomparable: A standard 60 watt incandescent bulb provides 13 to 14 lumens per watt, whereas an equivalent CFL provides 55 to 70 lumens per watt and an LED provides 60 to 100 lumens per watt. What’s more is that an LED bulb will last you a long time, some models lasting 25 years. Lighting accounts for 6% of a house’s energy use—CFL and LED bulbs will get you your money’s worth.

    New bulb standards are changing the way you’ll shop for lightbulbs. You used to buy for watts, but now you’ll shop for lumens, which tell us how bright a bulb burns.

    • 100 watt bulbs are about 1600 lumens
    • 75 watt bulbs are about 1100 lumens
    • 60 watt bulbs are about 800 lumens
    • 40 watt bulbs are about 450 lumens
  • Thermostat

    Keep your thermostat set to the lowest setting to which you are comfortable. If possible, keep your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the heating season. Space heating accounts for 45% of your home’s energy use, so even minor adjustments can go a long way.

    If you think your heating isn’t doing what it should, look around your home to see what may be causing the situation:

    • Insufficient insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors
    • Uninsulated, loose, or leaking furnace ductwork
    • Dirty furnace filters
    • Open fireplaces (more heat is lost up the chimney than into the room)
    • Air leaks around windows, doors, and walls
  • Couch

    The three R’s of sustainable furniture—recondition, reuse, and recycle. Look to redo your furniture, buy secondhand, or get creative before buying new.

    Understandably, decor is a little tough when only working with old materials. Fortunately, there are ways to lower the negative impact of the furniture on the environment and your health. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council’s seal, which certifies timber that is cut in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Greenguard also certifies safe, low-emission products and materials for indoor use, including furniture.

    In general, look for the following sustainable marks of furniture:

    • Paints, stains, and finishes that contain low or no volatile organic compounds
    • Reduced use of glues, sealants, and formaldehyde
    • Natural fabrics, organic cotton, recycled fabric content, and toxin-free upholstery
    • 100% natural latex foam
    • Use of materials that have been and can be recycled
    • Minimal packaging
    • Locally manufactured
  • Lightswitch

    Lighting accounts for 6% of a house’s energy use, so it’s simple: turn off the lights when you’re not in the room. You already know that, though. This just Green Neighbors nudging you off that comfy couch to turn off the kitchen light.

  • Books

    Like to read? Consider using your local library or used bookstore before purchasing new books. If you haven’t been to the library in awhile, you might be surprised at all the new things they have to offer.