I have been observing the natural world around me for the past 10 years. I volunteer with the local land trust and have taken several Community College horticulture classes. I help with a land trust restoration project and have been a citizen scientist. Using this knowledge as well as recent online workshops, In 2015, I began trying to transform my neglected two acre yard (oak woodlands, grassland, and creek ) into a more friendly pollinator ecosystem. In the beginning, I cleared many invasive plants. I hand pulling Italian and star thistle. I cut nonnative grasses and encouraged purple needle grass to spread. I caged baby oaks and buckeye trees, I consulted with a local native plant expert who helped me choose plants. After years of feeding the local deer, I have discovered some species that seem to be drought tolerant and wildlife resistant. I gather information from Calscape and Calflora and UC IPM to help manage my home restoration project. Its a continuous fight to control the invasives and several large live oaks have died in the recent years.