Biodiversity is the range of all forms of life on earth. It includes all the different plants, animals and micro-organisms that make up our ecosystems. Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we need to survive, from food and clean water to medicine and shelter.
Despite being in the heart of Melbourne, Stonnington is blessed with an array of incredible biodiversity in our parks and open spaces. We need your help to support and protect it. Here are some ways you can help.
Create habitat for wildlife
- Fill your garden with locally indigenous plants from nurseries like Victorian Indigenous Nursery Co-op or Bili Nursery.
- Extend your habitat garden to your nature strip by applying to the free Nature Strip Planting Program.
- Create a multi-layered habitat using ground covers, small and medium shrubs to support different wildlife needs.
- Plant flowering species like grevillea, correa and wattle to attract bees and other pollinators such as nectar-eating birds and beneficial insects.
- Build dense and protective habitat for small birds using prickly shrubs such as Acacia paradoxa.
- Use logs, sticks, leaf litter and rocks in your garden to provide a habitat for native bees, insects, skinks and lizards.
- Put in a water feature such as a bird bath or pond.
For more tips, take a look at My Smart Garden or Birds in Backyards.
Keep wildlife safe
A garden that is safe for wildlife means it is safer for pets and children too.
- Keep your cat indoors or in an outdoor enclosure to keep them and wildlife safe. For ideas on protecting cats and wildlife, visit Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife.
- While fruit tree netting is a popular way to protect fruit, it can be dangerous for wildlife like birds, flying foxes and possums. Use netting with a mesh size of 5 mm x 5 mm or less at full stretch to reduce the risk to wildlife. For advice on fruit tree netting, visit Agriculture Victoria.
Observe nature and become a citizen scientist
Citizen science is when people contribute to scientific research by observing and recording nature. Get involved with these great biodiversity citizen scientist initiatives.
iNaturalist and annual bioblitzes (all year)
Download the free iNaturalist app on your smartphone to join a global community sharing photos of wild insects, animals, plants or fungi they observe around them. Community contributions help scientists better understand the diverse species living in our urban environments.
Learn how to best observe different species with these expert-led webinars on plants, birds, frogs, and reptiles and fungi and invertebrates.
Use the app any time or take part in global bioblitz events like the City Nature Challenge (April/May) and the Great Southern Bioblitz (October).
ClimateWatch (all year)
Join ClimateWatch, a national initiative that helps scientists understand how Australia's environment is responding to climate change. It's all done on an easy-to-use app on your smartphone.
Explore key plant and animal species on Stonnington’s Climate Watch trails at the Glen Iris Wetlands and along the Main Yarra Trail in South Yarra.
Aussie Bird Count (October)
Take part in the Aussie Bird Count to celebrate National Bird Week in October. Heading to your favourite open space and recording the birds you see in 20 minutes.
Local birdlife provides important information about the health of our environment, especially in urban areas like Stonnington.
Frog census (all year)
Become a frog monitor using the Frog census app. Head to your nearest river, creek or wetlands, listen out for frog calls and record what you hear.
Australian Pollinator Count (November)
Recognise our tiny but mighty pollinators by joining the Australian Pollinator Count during Australian Pollinator Week in November.
Australia’s incredible insect pollinators are vital to our plants and ecosystems, especially in our urban environment.
Explore our city's biodiversity
There are many ways to explore and learn more about Stonnington's biodiversity.
Explore biodiversity in our parks
Experience biodiversity near you at Malvern Urban Forest or Glen Iris Wetlands. These rich natural ecosystems are fantastic examples of biodiversity at work.
Lost Lands Found
Take a moment to pause, reflect and connect with ancient flora of Stonnington with a visit to the Lost Lands Found eco-art installation in Central Park, Malvern.
Created by Wemba Wemba Wergaia ecologist and educator Dean Stewart, in partnership with Stonnington, Lost Lands Found showcases over 60 species of the indigenous flowers, grasses, herbs and lilies that once flourished throughout Victoria prior to European settlement.
Learn more about how to help create your own indigenous garden at home and support habitat for important native grassland species.
(credit Maya Melrose)
Life of the Yarra Audio Tour
Take an audio tour of the history and ecology of the Yarra River (Birrarung) on your next walk or bike ride. Explore the Birrarung's winding course, delve into the past and discover some small local wonders of our natural world.
Visit our pets and animals page for more information on living with possums and how to report an injured animal.
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