Backyard Biodiversity

Every home gardener can increase biodiversity in our communities by creating a wildlife haven in their backyard. Birds and animals rely on the miniature garden forest we create for shelter, nesting and food. Although the limited size of gardens prevents them from being complete habitats it is suprising how many species can live in a small space if the right conditions are created. A balance of ground cover, shrubs and trees will attract lizards, butterflies and insects as well as native birds like the tui, bellbird, silvereye and even the kereru.

Download our Ellerslie Flower Show 2006 Backyard Biodiversity leaflet (PDF)

Follow these links to learn how you can minimise pests and maximise your native backyard

Making your backyard a Native Habitat

While everyone knows it's essential to conserve New Zealands' native forests, not everyone realises the difference they can make by planting natives on their own property. The backyard presence of native plants provides a miniature habitat for native birds, lizards, butterflies and other invertebrates. Native plants create shelter, shade, nesting places and leaf litter, prevent erosion and provide food in the form of leaves, nectar, berries, seeds, and associated bugs.

Fantail - Keith Needham

They also help to provide a wildlife 'corridor', allowing wildlife to jump easily from one feeding and/or nesting area to another, with the added benefit of giving you the enjoyment of watching nature close to home.

You can create your own 'native habitat' on your property.

New Zealand has some 2000 native plants recorded, 10% of which are considered rare or threatened with extinction. Many of these plants are easy to grow, and may be suited to your local habitat.

Native plants sometimes have a reputation for being slow-growers. By and large this is untrue, they just need an encouraging start.

The principles of this guide can be applied over the whole country; it covers most soil types, altitudes, latitudes and habitats. You may find your local microclimate has it's own unique variations. Take whatever is useful to you.