Growing indigenous and endemic plants in your backyard helps extend remnant patches of native fauna, attracts native wildlife to your garden and conserves biodiversity. So get your hands dirty and enjoy the rewards.
Climate change poses real threats to indigenous flora and fauna, much of which is already under threat from urbanisation and modern agricultural practices. It is more important than ever that we do our bit to protect habitats. By using indigenous plants in your own garden you can create havens for plants, insects, lizards, possums, butterflies and birds, thus enhancing local biodiversity.
In the last 200 years, much of our country has been cleared. Our wetlands have been drained, our rivers polluted and diverted. Feral animals and weeds have had a devastating impact on indigenous flora and fauna. Australia, along with the rest of the world, is facing a biodiversity crisis. We have one of the world's worst records for land clearing and associated species extinction. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment states that because of the rate and extent of biodiversity loss, we can no longer rely on the planet to support our lifestyles.
By growing indigenous plants, we can assist in protecting and promoting our local flora and fauna and give the world's biodiversity a helping hand.
Did you know that local residents can get 5 free plants every quarter form the Wollondilly Community Nursery?
How to do it now!
Growing indigenous plants for wildlife requires consideration of our native fauna's basic needs. Therefore, we need to provide them with food, water,
shelter and protection from predators.
Download the creating the native garden fact sheet.
Follow these easy steps to create a haven for wildlife in your own backyard.
Get to know your site
Take a look at your garden and see what you already have that is useful to wildlife. Make a note of the sunny and shady spots. Consider whether there are variations in moisture in the garden. Is there a warm rock or log for a dozing lizard? The more diversity your garden can provide, the greater diversity you will be able to support.
Create a plan
Indigenous plants are suitable for all kinds of sites and conditions. You might need some inspiration and design ideas and a great way to be enthused is to visit a range of gardens. Many councils use indigenous plantings in their own gardens, so visit their sites. For more tips on designing for wildlife visit the following links:
And remember, good nursery staff are always happy to help.
Seek professional assistance with the selection of plants
Take your plan and talk to the experts about what plants will attract fauna and which best suit your site, conditions and personal taste. Remember, the more suitable they are the less work required.
Visit and talk with your local indigenous nursery
Contact council's community nursery for information about local or indigenous plants.
The Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) has a very comprehensive website listing native and indigenous nurseries across the country.
The Australian Botanic Garden Mt Annan have a variety of native gardens and information you can access about local native plants.
Factors to consider when selecting plants to encourage wildlife:
Download the attracting wildlife to your backyard fact sheet.
-
Food
Providing food for wildlife is essential. All parts of the plants provide food for animals and insects - seeds, nectar, sap, fruits, leaves and roots. Other animals rely on the insects that feed on the plants. Ensure you plan for a wide variety of plants and insects in your garden. -
Water
Bringing water to your site can be as simple as providing a bird bath, or creating a bog garden by accentuating a natural incline in the garden. Not all gardens require a water feature, but it will increase the diversity of fauna. -
Protection and shelter
Many of our native plants are prickly which provides important refuge against predators for small native animals. Leaf litter and mulch, logs and a pile of old bricks can provide important shelter for insects, lizards and other animals. Cats are a particular problem in the urban environment and it's important to restrict them from entering your garden.
Start planting
Now comes the easy part. Check out Sustainable Gardening Australia for some easy-to-follow planting tips.
Encourage others to go native
Show off your new garden to neighbours and friends. Encourage them to plant indigenous species to create wildlife corridors, those passages of native vegetation which support the free movement of indigenous species and enhance their chances of survival.
Why is this action important?
The benefits of biodiversity are immeasurable. There is no life without it. Our food, medicine, clothing, shelter and all our industrial resources are the products of biodiversity. It is integral to the maintenance of ecological systems, to climate regulation, to continued water cycles and to pollution breakdown. It takes CO2 out of the air and puts it back into the soil. In short, biodiversity is life on earth.
Why Do This Action?
-
5,983 litres saved p.a.
-
Increase biodiversity
Environment
Every single species plays a critical part in the functions of a larger ecosystem. Biodiversity in an ecological system provides the system with the resilience to survive environmental changes and the impact of humans. Biodiversity loss is the single most important issue facing us all in the next millennium. By promoting biodiversity in our own gardens we can assist the natural systems that regulate climate and water cycles and provide a stable and healthy home for us all.
Wellbeing
Gardening is good for your heart and soul. It improves your mental health by helping you relax and unwind. It improves your cardiovascular fitness as well as your flexibility, endurance and strength. Go and watch your native grasses grow and see what insects and small animals you've attracted. Know that your work (and pleasurable leisure) is improving the earth's wondrous variety and the quality of life for us all.
