Conservation group calls on community to help transform backyards into wildlife havens

The South West is a tangle of suburbs, towns and forests, packed with so much unique flora and fauna that it is globally recognised as biodiversity hotspot.

But with less than 30 per cent of its original vegetation remaining, conservationists worry this grand title could be slipping away.

The Leschenault Catchment Council is calling on the community to help counter this by building backyard biodiversity and encouraging native wildlife back into urban areas.

The LCC said a recent citizen science study by Perth NRM and UWA highlighted the critical role backyards play in providing pivotal pathways for wildlife to reach the pockets of nature that remain.

From building shelter for bees to planting native vegetation and the simple act of putting out water, LCC biodiversity program manager Katrina Zeehandelaar-Adams said there were several simple ways to counter biodiversity decline in our own backyards.

“Increasing biodiversity in your own backyard is an easy and rewarding way to make sure your slice of paradise is working overtime to add ecological value to our community,” she said.

“By planting locally native species in your garden, you are choosing plants that have evolved to the conditions in your area, meaning your garden is adapted to our climate without compromising on style.

“Plus, native plants provide the best food and habitat for native wildlife and beneficial insects such as pollinators.”

Native bees are some of these hard working pollinators and like many other animals they are showing worrying signs of decline.

Ms Zeehandelaar-Adams said installing bee-friendly structures around the garden and planting native flowers was one way to help bolster native bee numbers.

“Urban gardens are really important areas for bee and insect conservation as we generally have a lower insecticide use and higher diversity of flowers in our private gardens compared to agriculture,” she said.

There is a simple solution. Bees need flowers, so plant as many as you can.

As part of its goal to build backyard biodiversity, the LCC will hold a free community festival on Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

The Love the Lesch fest at Australind’s Ridley Place Foreshore will have free workshops exploring water wise gardening and tips on transforming a garden into a haven for native wildlife.

Registration is required to attend the workshops. To register or for more information, visit leschenaultcc.org.au/lovethelesch.