Layered Planting: building a MD native wildlife garden
August 4, 2026
Habitat Hero Winner 2026 Joy Tester
Joy Tester was absolutely thrilled to learn that her yard had been selected for the Habitat Hero Award. This meaningful recognition validates the vision she created for her property, and reflects her desire to give back to both the Cape St. Claire community and the natural world in general. Her ultimate goal has been to cultivate a landscape that delivers maximum ecological impact, functions well for her family, and serves as a peaceful, private retreat. Nature has always played an important role in Joy’s life, providing a source of balance and renewal. A teacher, one memorable example occurred on the very first day of school with her students this year, when a hummingbird playfully hovered around her head until she got into her car. The magical encounter brought a smile to Joy’s face for the remainder of the week, and even became a delightful conversation topic with her students.
Joy’s journey toward transforming her yard began in 2020. At the time, major construction on the property required the removal of three trees that had grown directly into the house, including one that had completely enveloped a gutter. While challenging, the disruption provided an opportunity to better understand the property’s drainage issues and rethink the landscape design. Joy and her son worked together to dig a trough and construct a rain garden to capture stormwater before it could flow into the road. When new gutters were installed, they were directed into rain barrels, which seamlessly feed the rain gardens and surrounding plants. In these wetter areas, she established thriving native gardens filled with moisture-loving species purchased through the Cape Conservation Corps (CCC). She also worked diligently to remove invasive plants, including an invasive butterfly bush, which was replaced with a native alternative through a CCC plant swap event.
To expand upon her vision, Joy sought materials, guidance, and native plants through both the Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA) and CCC. She benefited greatly from the expertise of fellow members, educational programs, and garden tours. Today, she manages the property with a strong “conservation first” approach. She follows the principle of never removing established vegetation until replacement plantings are securely established, and leaves trimmed plant material on-site to support the soil food web. These intentional practices have created a sense of natural privacy in both the front yard and around the front porch, resulting in the sanctuary she envisioned for her family while also benefiting local wildlife.
The knowledge and inspiration she gained through CCC has also enabled her to give back to the community. Joy enjoys sharing native plants with others, incorporating them into her school landscape, and using them as tools to educate her students about the environment and the importance of conservation.
The most rewarding aspect of the transformation has been the remarkable abundance of wildlife now supported by the property. Bird nests with hatchlings are a regular sight, and hummingbirds, goldfinches, bluebirds, owls, ducks, and hawks frequently visit the yard. The gardens are alive with pollinators and other beneficial wildlife, including bees, butterflies, spiders, lizards, foxes, turtles, snakes, and countless beneficial insects.
Receiving the Habitat Hero Award is a tremendous honor and serves as continued motivation for Joy to protect the local ecosystem, promote native plants, and inspire others in the community and the next generation to appreciate and care for the natural world. I have had the pleasure of watching Joy transform her once-neglected property into a thriving, Habitat Hero–worthy ecosystem that supports local wildlife and promotes biodiversity.
