Garden habitat workshop with the “frog doctor”

If you’re designing a garden from scratch or want to turn your existing yard into a wildlife haven, Nature Conservation Margaret River Region has the ultimate workshop coming up on Saturday July 23.

The conservation group has teamed up with the “Frog Doctor” – environmental biologist and renowned educator Johnny Prefumo – who will host a presentation followed by walk-and-talk tour of Nature Conservation’s brand new, native, water-wise demonstration garden.

The garden site, located at the Margaret River Community Garden on Clarke Rd, is in the design phase so it’s a great opportunity to see how to implement a native, wildlife-friendly garden from scratch.

The workshop will explore:

• key considerations to develop a habitat for target species
• getting to know the biology of your target species such as frogs, small birds, pollinators and small animals
• how and why to incorporate water bodies, flower colours, and the use of nest boxes in backyards
• understanding your soil type and the plants that survive in that area
• design principles

Then, a second workshop is planned for August 7, when the design principles will be put into practice at a practical, hands-on live installation where the garden will be planted out. The workshops are the latest in a series of NCMRR’s For Nature Landowner Stewardship Program, designed to help locals give nature a hand at their place.

“This workshop is great for anyone who has a blank slate back or front yard and would like to design out the garden and incorporate native plants and a habitat garden whilst being water wise,” says Peta Lierich, who runs the For Nature program.

“Similarly, if you have an existing garden you can also use elements from the workshop to enhance or improve your patch into an inviting space for our native animals.

“Co-existing with nature has so many benefits. Not only do you provide a home for our native wildlife, but they in-turn can provide you with many services such as pollination and controlling many animals we call pests. Not to mention the benefits of human well-being associated with nature.”

Afternoon tea will be provided and Nature Conservation Margaret River Region staff will also be on-hand to answer your questions. Register here for your ticket to the workshop, which is free for Nature Conservation members or $10 for non-members. Please wear weather appropriate clothing, and bring a water bottle. In the event of rain, this workshop will still proceed.

Meanwhile, registering with our For Nature program is free and comes with loads of benefits for locals, like grants for conservation work at your place and free equipment hire.

For Nature is proudly supported by funding from the West Australian Government’s State Natural Resources Management Program, the Water Corporation and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.