Nature Havens program

What is the Nature Havens program?

Nature Havens is a Council program that supports Maroondah residents to make their gardens more wildlife friendly by creating habitat stepping stones for native animals such as birds, insects, lizards and small mammals.

As part of our Nature Havens program, we’ll come to your garden and discuss ways you can provide more food, shelter and water for wildlife.

We can provide you with:

• On-site advice and guidance, conducted by staff from Maroondah’s Bushland Management team (visits are up to 1 hour).
• A Nature Havens garden report including recommendations specific to your garden for making your garden a more wildlife friendly nature haven and a list of indigenous plants suitable to your garden and to the wildlife you’d like to attract.
• A ‘Wildlife Gardens Maroondah’ booklet.
• Additional resources and information about Maroondah’s natural environment via our e-newsletter Nature News.

How to register

The Nature Havens program is fully booked. Please email nature@maroondah.vic.gov.au to be placed on a cancellation waitlist.

Please note that if a spot becomes available, everyone on the waitlist will be emailed at the same time and it will be first-in first-served. If you'd like more information you can call the Bushland team on 0418 992 167.

Other helpful information about making your garden more wildlife friendly

Indigenous plants vs Australian native plants - what’s the difference?

Indigenous plants are also known as ‘locally native’. They are plants that occur naturally in your local area and are adapted to the local conditions. Indigenous plants and animals depend on one another in often complex ways - some plant species have specific pollinators, and some insects have specific food plants.

Indigenous plant list of Maroondah

Native Australian plants can come from anywhere in Australia. Some can cross-pollinate with the indigenous species, creating hybrids, while others can become environmental weeds outside their natural range, such as Sallow wattle (Acacia longifolia) and Sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum).

Benefits of creating a wildlife stepping stone in your garden

• Help preserve the diversity of indigenous plants and animals and prevent species loss.
• More opportunities for adults and children to connect with nature.
• Help make our neighbourhoods cooler, more liveable, and more adaptable to a changing climate.
• More connection with nature means happier, healthier humans - connecting with nature reduces stress and anxiety and enhances mental and physical well-being.
• Help the natural environment at a time that suits you.
• Planting local species in your garden reflects the natural character of Maroondah and creates a haven for local birds, mammals, lizards, insects, frogs, fungi and microorganisms.
• Indigenous plants generally require less maintenance and water.
• Help kids learn about nature and develop new skills.

Creating a habitat stepping stone in your garden is easy and fun. Start small with a few plants, a bird bath or a bee hotel, and build on your efforts over time. You'll be amazed at the variety of wildlife that will be attracted to your garden. You’ll also get to experience the joy of watching native birds and butterflies visit your garden and knowing that you'll be doing your part to help protect the environment for future generations.

For any enquiries about naturestrip planting, please refer to the information on Council's website. 

Further information

If you have any queries or would like to talk to someone from the Bushland team before booking your appointment you can contact us via email at nature@maroondah.vic.gov.au or call us on 0418 992 167.