Men’s Shed carpenters partner with Landcare groups

A LOCAL Men’s Shed and a conservation group have teamed up to provide nesting shelters for wildlife amid concern over the future of
natural sites.

The St Leonards Men’s Shed and the Bellarine Landcare Group have partnered to build and distribute carefully designed wildlife boxes which will help the Bellarine’s native species breed.

Bellarine Landcare Group horticultural volunteer David Cass said the nesting boxes weren’t a substitute for natural nesting spots and the program had started due to a reduction in old gumtree hollows.

“It’s certainly a chance for people to make a bit of difference and provide places where wildlife can breed,” he said.

The Bellarine Landcare Group has helped manage invasive weed species, helped seed propagation and provided revegetation programs along the coast.

“It’s a very important part of managing the natural resources on the peninsula,” Mr Cass said.

The new nesting boxes will accommodate species such as crimson rosellas, microbats, kookaburras, possums and red-rock parrots.

St Leonards Men’s Shed member Bob Evans said nesting boxes provide an opportunity for landowners to engage in environmental conservation initiatives.

“The program also gives our shed a chance to contribute, using our expert carpentry skills, to a great wildlife program – so everyone is a winner,” Mr Evans said.

The nesting boxes will be installed on both private and public land in the Bellarine area and have followed on from similar initiatives that started in 2017, which saw more than 100 boxes installed.