UWG is based on a ‘Gardens for Wildlife’ scheme set up by Barung Landcare, which in turn was based on a program run by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy to encourage wildlife-friendly gardens across Tasmania.
Here in Noosa, NICA, in response to an idea from members Stephanie and Tony Haslam, started scoping studies in 2017. After a successful pilot program, funded by the Noosa Shire Council, it was decided to set up the ongoing program managed by a subcommittee. This allowed UWG to operate virtually as an independent body with its own identity.
Urban Wildlife Gardens as a community engagement program, provides a service for urban residents in the Noosa Shire who wish to create native gardens that will increase biodiversity values on their property. There is an appointed Council Officer (Sustainability and Climate Change Coordinator) who has expertise in environmental issues aligning with the aims of UWG and can attend UWG subcommittee meetings.
An Alliance Agreement developed with Council saw reliable ongoing funding. This has allowed UWG to engage with Noosa Shire residents to raise awareness of the importance of indigenous native plant gardens to attract native wildlife and improve the biodiversity of our local environment.
UWG encourages people to get involved through their monthly workshops, garden visits and walks. These have varied from the use of natives in pots to talks about snakes and frogs, with the main message being about native plants that attract local wildlife, insects and butterflies. Social engagement is encouraged around morning tea and members and non-members can share knowledge and ideas within the group.
A monthly Newsletter contains a range of articles from ‘Flowering Now’ and ‘Weed of the Month’ to stories relating to native plants, home gardens and urban wildlife.
UWG has its own website and has produced a ‘What’s in Your Garden’ handbook which is full of ideas about creating one’s own garden with a host of references to other publications.
A major priority for UWG in the coming year is to attract new members who are new to the Noosa area, or may not be aware of UWG’s work.
UWG is also embarking on the new Urban Wildlife Verge Demonstration Garden project in collaboration with Noosa Council. In a first for Noosa Shire, UWG will plan and build 2 demonstration verge gardens in a suburban setting in accordance with Council’s guidelines, using indigenous plants. The gardens will be used for education and demonstration purposes to showcase wildlife habitat and urban greening benefits.
UWG will also be hosting several activities in the 2025 Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival for the first time.
Noosa residents can join the UWG Program for a once only fee of $30. They will receive a property visit from the Program Coordinator who will identify residual native plants, explain the area’s original vegetation and identify invasive weeds to remove, give advice and answer questions. They will also be given an UWG sign, several free plants and a folder of information tailored to their garden.
For more information go to the UWG Website at https://urbanwildlifegardens.org.au/
