Programs

Native Plant Backyard Challenge

2026 registration coming soon!

Please reach out to Fiona McCarthy at fiona.mccarthy@audubon.org to get on the email list for 2026 registration reminders.

MISSION

The mission of the Native Plant Backyard Challenge (NPBYC) is to promote native plants in central Ohio by recruiting households to transform a portion of their yards into native habitat. The challenge works to ensure that participants become ambassadors for native plants in their community.

OVERVIEW

We challenge YOU to introduce native plants in your yard! In 2021, Grange Insurance Audubon Center (GIAC) and Columbus Audubon (CA) teamed up to create the Native Plant Backyard Challenge. To date, over 580 households have taken the challenge spanning 47 zip codes across Ohio. The annual program provides resources for new and returning households who would like to transform or further develop their outdoor spaces with native plants. The NPBYC includes community events, educational workshops and presentations, giveaways, and more throughout the year!

NPBYC participant Michael Corey's native "Happy Garden".

NPBYC participant Carly Dearborn's first year native plot and rain barrel.

NPBYC participant Kathy Bohley's native plots.

Monarch Butterfly in NPBYC participant Nick Ramirez's front yard meadow.

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REGISTRATION

New Challenge Participant - $35.00

Returning Challenge Participant (must have participated in a previous year of the program) - $30.00

*Those registering also have the option to become a Grange Insurance Audubon Center, Columbus Audubon, National Audubon Society member as an individual or family. Click here to become a member! Already a GIAC, CA, NAS member - contact Allison Clark at allison.clark@audubon.org to check your membership expiration date and renew easily online.

2026 TIMELINE OF EVENTS

Coming soon!

*If you are interested in participating in the upcoming 2026 NPBYC but the fee may be cost prohibitive, please reach out to Fiona McCarthy (GIAC Engagement Coordinator, Stewardship) at fiona.mccarthy@audubon.org to request to be placed on our sponsorship wait list. Sponsorship inquiries will be filled as sponsorship opportunities arise. You will be notified via email as soon as your request can be filled.

*If you are interested in sponsoring a household, there is a ticket option on our registration page that allows you to purchase a ticket for another household. To be clear, by purchasing this ticket option you will ONLY be sponsoring a household to take part in the challenge and will NOT be a participant yourself. If you would like to participate in the challenge AND sponsor a household, you will have to purchase both a regular ticket and a sponsorship ticket. If you purchase a sponsorship ticket and there is no household to claim it, the payment will act as a donation to the challenge and the center.