Our Environment » Backyard Habitat Program   The Backyard Habitat Program is a new program funded through the Council’s Sustainability Levy. The program is designed to help Lane Cove residents create a welcome environment for local native animals in their garden, particularly by creating habitat havens and using native plants Your garden can become a vital link and haven for our wildlife! Urban environments can have a negative impact on local wildlife, particularly as development reduces habitat necessary for their survival. Essential habitat can however be provided in your garden. Although Lane Cove has 90 hectares of bushland, it has been dissected into small pockets. By connecting these isolated pockets of bushland with fauna friendly backyards, wildlife corridors or pathways can be formed to attract native animals, birds and insects to help them survive. Benefits to participants Members of the Backyard Habitat Program will receive: An Information Pack about local wildlife and the environment, including information on: How to attract a variety of wildlife to your garden; Local native plants & animals; Noxious weeds; A4 ‘Birds in Backyards’ Poster(see website for some great information www.birdsinbackyards.net) Free Backyard Habitat sign for your gate or fence Invitations to attend information sessions (evening talks and day workshops) a variety of topics including: Birdscaping your garden Attracting wildlife to the garden Identifying & removing problem plants Members with their own personal garden space will also be eligible for: Free personal advice on making your garden more friendly for local fauna         (1 hour backyard consultation) Free native plants from Council’s Community Nursery Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. You must also complete and return the  Regsitration form and 5 minute Fauna Survey prior to receiving a consultation. How do I join the program? If you’re interested in joining or receiving more information about the Backyard Habitat program contact 9911 3579 or via email bushinterp@lanecove.nsw.gov.au Download the Backyard Habitat registration form and survey here Upcoming Backyard Habitat Workshops: Evening Presentation - Native Bees and our Bushland May 17th, 6:30pm Cove Room Lane Cove Council Chambers RSVP by 16th May Bookings to Lane Cove Council on 9911 3583 or book online here Healthy and sustainable populations of native flowering plants require healthy populations of their pollinators. What do we know about Australia's 1600 bee species and their habits that can help us maintain such populations? Sydney alone, is home to over 300 species, some of which exhibit remarkable adaptations for visiting flowers. By examining which flowers they visit, when they are active and where they build their nests, we can begin to consider how this important component of our bushland can be looked after. Evening Presentation - Sharing Spaces: how to create a bird-friendly garden June 14th, 6:30pm Cove Room Lane Cove Council Chambers RSVP by 16th May Bookings to Lane Cove Council on 9911 3583 or book online here In recent years both scientists and the general public have noticed that small birds seem to be disappearing from our backyards. At the same time, other larger, more aggressive species such as the Noisy Miner are becoming a common sight. With the urban environment replacing large amounts of native vegetation, there is a need to understand the urban bird community so we can maximise biodiversity within it. Bird expert Dr Holly Parsons from Birds Australia will give a presentation on the types of birds you might come across in your backyard and how you can maximise your garden to be bird friendly. More Backyard habitat information Here are some useful links for some great information to get started: Birds Australia Guidelines Royal Botanic Gardens How to build a frog pond     Gardening information for residents     Bushcare in Lane Cove     Upcoming Bushcare events & activities         A Powerful Owl roosting in Greenwich. This bird is classified as vulnerable.         The harmless Golden Orb Weaving Spider, a useful pest controller in the garden!         Use native plants to encourage butterflies to visit your garden!