By Margaret Maccoll
Backyard gardeners in Noosa are filling their gardens with native plants in a bid to regain wildlife habitat being diminished by development.
Still in its pilot stage, Noosa Intergrated Catchment Association’s (NICA) Urban Wildlife Gardens program has attracted the interest of 77 urban gardeners and with the help of funding is looking to expand.
“I think a lot of people understand the importance of our gardens in increasing the biodiversity of our region,” program spokeswoman Desiree Gralton said.
“Our gardens provide safe areas for wildlife.”
The garden program works with backyard gardeners in a similar way to the Land for Wildlife project that encourages and assists landholders to manage wildlife habitat on their larger properties.
Project manager Michelle Newell visits the individual gardens of participants and advises them on what plants are weeds, what plants to use to make their gardens more attractive to wildlife and where to source them.
“She asks them what creatures do you love? Would you like more bees, birds, butterflies and advises on plants to plant to attract them,” Desiree said.
The program has a Facebook page, regular newsletters and hosts workshops as well as open days with guest experts attending to provide advice.
“We’re hoping to grow a community of people who love having biodiversity in their backyards,” Desiree said.
The Urban Wildlife Gardens program is one project earmarked to receive Noosa Council funding of $5323 under round one of the Environmental Projects Funding Grant. The other projects set to receive funding include one of $6818 to another NICA project for an upgraded Noosa Native Plants website and $23,600 for a Hinterland Bush Links project. The grant project will be discussed at Council this month.
