A privacy hedge can do much more than block a view. A mixed native screen can provide shelter, insects, berries and nesting structure for birds while using less water than many conventional hedges.
Build layers instead of a wall
Consider appropriately sized selections of coffeeberry, toyon, lemonade berry and other site-suited natives. Mixing forms can create a more resilient habitat than one species sheared into a uniform wall.
Let plants do ecological work
Flowers support insects; insects feed birds; fruit and seed add seasonal food; dense branches provide cover.