Native garden program expands along the Bellarine

A PROGRAM helping Bellarine residents understand more about the ecology of their yards has been expanded in a bid to improve outcomes for wildlife in the region.

The Bellarine Catchment Network’s Gardens for Wildlife program currently facilitates garden visits to Ocean Grove and Indented Heads residents to advise about locally indigenous and butterfly attracting plants, how to create habitats for birds, lizards and insects and how to deter invasive species like Indian Mynas.

The visits include a resource pack of wildlife brochures and plant booklets to help people on their journey of creating a more wild and friendly home for native plants and animals.

After a visit to her garden last year Ocean Grove resident Julia said she was “blown away by what was there and wanted to restore it back to what it should be.”

She was particularly surprised to discover sun orchids, small Bursaria’s and native grasses growing in her yard.

“The best part of the visit was finding out how much biodiversity was actually in our garden and it was exciting to know that maybe around 100-200 years ago, this is what it probably looked like,” she said.

“In an urban setting, it’s really important to encourage wildlife and with all the housing developments, there’s no habitat corridors for wildlife to move though…we are trying to create homes for them here too.”

The program has operated with funding from the City of Greater Geelong and now with funding from the Barwon Heads Community Bank’s Legacy Project residents from the town and nearby St Leonards can get involved.

To launch the program’s expansion a workshop at the Barwon Heads Community Arts Garden is being held this Sunday from midday and includes a complementary BBQ.

As a sweetener, each Barwon Heads resident who books a garden visit will receive a one-year membership to the community garden.

To register for the workshop on October 30, contact [email protected] and to book a garden visit, head to: calendly.com/gardensforwildlife