Urban Wildlife Gardens (UWG) is a community engagement program set up by the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (NICA). It provides a resource and service for urban residents in the Noosa Shire wishing to create native gardens that will increase biodiversity values on their property, promoting enjoyment, awareness, and opportunities for citizen science monitoring. This program helps in meeting one of the key goals of the NICA Catchment Management Strategy of best practice land management within the Noosa River Catchment, and it also meets some of Council’s environmental goals and strategies
UWG is based on a Gardens for Wildlife scheme set up by Barung Landcare, which in turn was based on the Gardens for Wildlife program run by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, which encourages wildlife-friendly gardens across Tasmania.
Here in Noosa, NICA started out in 2017 with formal scoping studies and later a pilot program, funded by the Noosa Shire Council, which continues to provide financial support.
Following the success of the studies and pilot schemes it was decided to go ahead and set up the ongoing program currently in place, and as a first, NICA decided to set up a Sub-Committee to manage the program. This allows UWG to operate virtually as an independent body with its own identity
There is an appointed Council Officer who can attend UWG sub-committee meetings, whose role in Council is Climate Change Adaption Coordinator, with expertise in environmental issues aligning with the aims of UWG.
An Alliance Agreement developed with Council saw reliable funding flowing from them and this has allowed UWG to engage with Noosa Shire residents to raise awareness of the importance of native plant gardens, with the planting of indigenous natives being even more important for our local environment.
UWG encourages people to get involved through their monthly workshops and walks. These have varied from the use of natives in pot plants to local environment plantings, with the main message being about native plants that attract local wildlife, insects and butterflies. Social engagement is encouraged around morning tea and members and non-members can share knowledge and ideas within the group.
A monthly Newsletter contains flowering now and weed of the month articles, and there is sharing of stories relating to native plants, home gardens and urban wildlife. Links are provided to other like sites and events where appropriate.
UWG has produced a ‘What’s in Your garden’ Handbook which is full of ideas about creating one’s own garden with a host of references to other publications. It is given to members and workshop participants, and UWG has also created their own unique website.
There is also partnering with Noosa District Landcare and Coolum Native Nursery where UWG has collaborated with both. When joining, and after the initial Garden Visit from our Bush Generation Officer we supply new members with some native tube stock from one of these nurseries.
THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE
A major priority for UWG in the coming year is to expand its influence and reach by increasing the membership base which is currently at 225. They would like to attract new members who are new to the Noosa area, or current residents who may not be aware of UWG’s work. To help achieve this they are trialing several months of Facebook advertising, to boost the workshop and educational posts. They will monitor engagement statistics to assess the effectiveness of this approach.
UWG is also embarking on the new Urban Wildlife Verge Demonstration Garden project in collaboration with Noosa Council. In a first for Noosa Shire, UWG will plan and build 2 demonstration verge gardens in a suburban setting in accordance with Council’s guidelines, using indigenous plants. The gardens will be used for education and demonstration purposes to showcase wildlife habitat and urban greening benefits. Publicity activities such as verge garden signage, media releases and on-site workshops will aim to attract a wider demographic to the benefits of planting native, and UWG’s work.
The UWG sub-committee and member base now has a strong contingent of horticulturalists/native plant experts. An increased involvement of local fauna experts has the potential to further strengthen the UWG program. It is planned to engage local animal ecologists to help shape the workshop series over the next 12 months.
Finally, UWG will be hosting several activities in the 2025 Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival for the first time. This provides educational and networking opportunities, and will promote UWG’s work to a wider demographic.
So, if you are interested in joining the program, there is a once only fee of $30. For this you will receive a Property Sign designed by Suzanne Bloomfield, a friendly visit from the Program Co-Ordinator to identify any residual native plants and explain the area’s original vegetation, give advice and answer questions including advice on which invasive weeds to remove. You will also be given several free plants and a folder of information tailored to your garden.
For more information go to the UWG Website at https://urbanwildlifegardens.org.au/