gardens for wildlife

Inspired by the highly successful Tasmanian Gardens for Wildlife program, Gardens for Wildlife was born out of an increasing interest of people wishing to join the Land for Wildlife scheme but who did not qualify due to their property size being under 1 ha.

On the Sunshine Coast, a huge proportion of conservation efforts across the region is focused on larger parcels of public and private land. And with good reason. High quality, intact and well-connected landscapes are vital for the future survival of many Australian native species, the quality of our soil and water, and the resilience of our communities. 

But for many people accessing conservation activities can be a challenge. Not everyone can afford a property to look after, some people have limited ability to get out to volunteer projects, and time poor generations are limited in how much they can dedicate to getting involved in local efforts, so the care of our environment seems to be squeezed into the responsibility of a limited few.

But this is exactly why our Gardens for Wildlife program can be just the thing to create a pathway for you to look after nature from the comfort of your own rural block, home garden or even your tiny urban balcony! Every property matters, and every generation can get involved.

Growing local native plants around your home and property can be incredibly beneficial in supporting our local environment. Choosing local native plants over exotic species can help reduce the risk of exotic plants becoming weeds that escape into the bush and degrade habitat. Native gardens can support many local animals with food, water and shelter, and increase their ability to move through the landscape keeping them safe from feral predators, domestic animals and the impact of road traffic. Native ground covers and grasses help provide sanctuary for reptiles, insects and frogs, and create a wonderful place for curious nature-lovers to interact with the natural world.