With a little planning and the right plants, you can become a wildlife gardener.
Our vision is for Boroondara to be known for sustainable gardens, rich in wildlife and local flora.
Backyard Biodiversity Project 2024
The 2024 Backyard Biodiversity Project Spring (online) event starts in early October and runs over 3 weeks.
When you join Backyard Biodiversity you will:
- attend a series of workshops
- learn how to turn your garden into a safe haven for animals
- receive landscape gardening advice from a landscape designer
- receive free native plants.
This project responds to an action in our Climate Action Plan, to deliver education workshops and programs that support the protection and enhancement of our biodiversity. Find out more about our Climate Action Plan.
Registrations closed on Sunday 6 October.
What to include in your garden
Consider planting:
- a clump of dense shrubs where birds can shelter
- nectar plants for honeyeaters
- daisies for butterflies
- native grasses and ground-covers instead of lawns.
Learn more about local native plants.
Include:
- a patch of natural mulch or leaf litter for beetles and worms
- a bird bath in a high, sheltered location
- a pond for frogs
- a warm, sheltered corner with rocks in the sun for lizards.
Avoid using chemicals and insecticides.
Native bees
Watch these webinars to learn how to create a habitat for native bees in your garden:
The webinars are hosted by Katrina Forstner from Buzz and Dig.
Planting on your nature strip
You need a Nature Strip Renovation Permit to do works on your nature strip, such as planting, mulching or landscaping. Find out more about planting on nature strips.
You don't need a permit to maintain, mow or plant grass on your nature strip.
Protect wildlife
Keep cats in at night to protect birds, reptiles and native mammals.
Find out more about local wildlife and cats on your property.
Provide water and shade in summer heat
High temperatures pose a serious threat to local wildlife.
- Leave shallow dishes of clean water in shady locations at different heights.
- Place a few stones or sticks in the dish so that small creatures can escape if they fall in.
- Provide shade for wildlife that may visit your yard.
Heat-stressed wildlife
Heat-stressed wildlife often behave differently to how they normally act.
If you see wildlife experiencing heat stress, call Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300 or contact your local vet for help.
Signs that possums may be heat-stressed:
- out during the day
- being on the ground rather than in a tree
- unresponsive or have a lethargic appearance.
Signs that birds may be heat-stressed:
- beaks open or panting
- wings spread
- not flying away when approached.
Use wildlife friendly netting
Many people use netting to protect fruit and vegetable gardens from wildlife.
The mesh size of your netting must not be greater than 5 mm x 5 mm when stretched.
This is a mandatory Victorian Government requirement to protect wildlife.
If your netting does not meet these rules you must replace it.
Place it in a strong bag before putting it into landfill. This stops it becoming a risk before it gets buried at the landfill site.
You can also put fruit bags over individual branches instead of using netting.
This protects the fruit you can reach, while leaving some for hungry wildlife.
More information
Email [email protected]
Watch our Backyard Biodiversity project video on Youtube.
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