Creating habitats for wildlife in our garden, schools, businesses and local areas...
|
Wildlife gardens support the biodiversity of life. Biodiversity creates resilience in all systems.
There are insufficient green spaces for wildlife to thrive in council owned areas alone, so it is imperative that we consider how our schools, residential and commercial spaces can support local wildlife. By careful planning in our gardens with a diverse range of plants and elements, we can foster greater biodiversity. Creating habitats that will support a variety of life-forms involves providing a safe comfortable environment with shelter to hibernate, sleep and rest, access to nesting materials, water and food. Creating a garden for wildlife is an easy action we can take locally to support the lives of many species struggling. Globally, we are seeing an increase in threatened and endangered species due to many factors, with loss of habitat being one of the largest causes. The huge decline in insect populations has repercussions on bird-life and food-farming as a result. Our food web is threatened and food security is an issue currently in many parts of the world and very likely in our future without substantial, meaningful action. We are seeing signs of planetary systems collapse around our world which has led to us to the term climate and ecological collapse or emergency. We can take small, constructive steps as a contribution to mitigate the damage of these predicted scenarios, increase biodiversity and support life in our immediate environments. Edward O. Wilson defined the term Biophilia as “The innate sense of belonging to the natural world”. Biofilia is the concept that humans have an innate inner connection with all of nature, and this connection is essential for our biological, psychological and spiritual well-being. When we foster close relationships with nature, we understand that there are many sensory aspects of being with nature, as part of nature, that we can tune in to benefit ourselves as part of the intricately interwoven web of life. Our well-being is enhanced by being in and caring for nature. Some careful planning and design elements will maintain, invite and support insects, birds, and other wildlife, and we can enjoy these reciprical relationships. TIPS to start to planning and preparing your site to attract and support wildlife: Involve everyone who uses the garden to ensure the greatest success of the project. Engage the whole family or community in the Garden project as it increases success by encouraging a sense of ownership, belonging and respect as well as many benefits of being outdoors with Nature.
RESOURCES:
|
LOCAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND HORTICULTURAL SERVICES:
Please contact the Port Phillip EcoCentre for Greensong local assistance, design work and consultations.
Please contact the Port Phillip EcoCentre for Greensong local assistance, design work and consultations.
LOCATIONS
South East areas of Melbourne
(Outside these areas - an additional travel time allowance would need to be included in quote)
South East areas of Melbourne
(Outside these areas - an additional travel time allowance would need to be included in quote)
SINGAPORE: Designing to attract birds and butterflies in Singapore. (Includes environment education)
http://environmenteducation.weebly.com/butterfly-garden--tropical-singapore.html
http://environmenteducation.weebly.com/butterfly-garden--tropical-singapore.html