New program helps attract wildlife to your garden

AN exciting new program that will help Ocean Grove people attract more native wildlife to their gardens is being launched this month by Ocean Grove Coastcare and Bellarine Catchment Network.

The pilot “Gardens for Wildlife” program will engage volunteer guides to help locals work out what plants already in their garden might be helping or hindering native birds and small animals, and the changes they might make to attract more of these creatures.

The program is one that has operated in other parts of Victoria for more than 10 years and has assisted 800 households to date.

A unique feature of the program is an opportunity for locals to become trained as garden guides for other local people. As a pilot funded by the City of Greater Geelong, the Ocean Grove program will have a limited number of households it can assist between this spring and next autumn, and a selection process will follow expressions of interest from households.

The program will be launched on Wednesday October 17 at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club (arrive 6.30pm for light refreshments) at 7pm.

Accompanying the launch will be an update about little beach-nesting birds, the Hooded Plovers, and following that, Ocean Grove Coastcare will hold their Annual General Meeting.

RSVPs would be appreciated – email [email protected] for more information about Gardens for Wildlife, or visit gardensforwildlifevictoria.com.