I give heartfelt thanks to the people who helped make this book a reality. It’s difficult to adequately thank my husband, Rick Weber, but I’ll try. Besides acting as my technical advisor, equipping me with fantastic camera gear, and spending countless hours assisting me on photo shoots, he provided the love and encouragement that kept me sane and pressing forward. Rick also spent many weekends producing the maps in this book and is responsible for nearly all of the wonderful bird photographs.
My sisters, Barbara Stark and Carol Stark, gave helpful advice and long-distance support. Kate Rogers, Kirsten Colton, and others at Skipstone offered their expertise, enthusiasm, and patience when I needed it most. Members of Portland Hikers, the staff at East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, members of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, and Andrew Merritt (Humble Roots) were helpful in locating some of the plants to photograph. Candace Fallon, Suzanne Granahan, Rich Hatfield, and Eric Mader, of the Xerces Society, assisted in pollinator identification. Terry Glase, Rosemary Taylor, and Paul Slichter graciously donated photographs. Lory Duralia (Bosky Dell Natives) welcomed a photo shoot of her ponds and antique architectural salvage creations. Audubon Society of Portland’s Steve Engel shared avian knowledge, and Connie and Dennis Clemmens, Roberta Dyer, Lisa Graebner, Angela Gusa, Barbara Spears, Zue Stevenson, and Karen Summers shared their insightful opinions or ideas.
In writing the text I drew from a variety of published sources in addition to my own experience, so gratitude goes to all the ecologists, entomologists, botanists, naturalists, and other writers who smoothed the path before me. And special thanks go to all of the people who have been responsibly propagating native plants and educating others about them for many years.