Presenter outlines Backyard Refuge program and points residents to Bernalillo County rainwater resources

A presenter described steps residents can take to turn yards into habitat and urged people to begin by closely observing what already exists on their property.

The presenter said the first step is to "observe what's here" so owners can identify which elements are needed for "other beings that are not human who are living with us" to benefit from that space. The talk reframed private yards as land that homeowners have the opportunity to tend and labeled residents as stewards of that land.

"Sometimes we come into our yard and we see the space or the land that we're tending and either it's overwhelming," the presenter said, adding that the Backyard Refuge program is designed to simplify that work for residents. "The backyard refuge program is really easy to get involved with, and Bernalillo County also has really great resources on their website about harvesting rainwater in the ground and also where to begin." The presenter directed listeners to those county resources but did not provide a date or a specific web address in the transcript.

The presentation emphasized practical, observational steps rather than technical prescriptions: identify what species or features are already present, consider incremental changes, and prioritize actions that allow non-human species to use the space. The speaker characterized this approach as a way to move from a mindset of ownership to one of stewardship.

The presenter did not specify program enrollment steps, contact information, funding details, or a timeline; the transcript contains no date for the presentation. Listeners were advised to consult Bernalillo County’s website for additional guidance on rainwater harvesting and starting a Backyard Refuge.

The presentation concluded with an appeal to view yards as opportunities for habitat stewardship rather than simply private property.