About the program
Private landholders manage around three-quarters of the land in our municipality and play a big role in ensuring the city has healthy ecosystems and thriving biodiversity. This program supports the community to use their gardens to provide an area of habitat for local wildlife.
We want to encourage everyone to create a space in their garden for wildlife, providing a habitat with indigenous plants or suitable alternatives. Because each space, no matter how small or big, can make an important contribution to nature in our city.
Our program is a partnership with Westgate Biodiversity: Bili Nursery and Landcare and community members. We are an affiliated program of Gardens for Wildlife VictoriaOpens in new tab, a state-wide network active in more than 25 municipalities across Victoria. The City of Melbourne have used the successful Knox Gardens for Wildlife Program, and research on its impact, as a model to develop a local program.
Make your garden a haven for local wildlife
Tenants and property owners within the City of Melbourne municipality can apply to have our trained volunteers visit your space and provide recommendations on how to improve it for wildlife.
Our volunteers will request some photos of your garden and schedule a visit to learn more about your space and goals. We currently offer both virtual and in-person visits, depending on your preferences and availability. Following your visit, you receive a report on how you can work towards your goals and make your garden even better for wildlife. You will also receive a voucher for free native plants from Bili nursery.
Afterwards you can join our network of wildlife gardeners in the city. If you don’t live in the city, you can still get involved as a volunteer.
Request a garden visit
Volunteer as a Garden Guide
As a volunteer garden guide, you will be able to connect with like-minded people who want to champion for wildlife in our city.
Applications for new garden guides open twice yearly in May and November. To receive news and events information from Gardens for Wildlife and be notified about expressions of interest for new garden guides, please email nature@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
Connect with Gardens for Wildlife online
Gardens for Wildlife VictoriaOpens in new tab is a network of community members and council/shire officers across Victoria supporting each other to involve local residents, schools and businesses to join in caring for the native plants and animals of our communities.
The Gardens for Wildlife Facebook groupOpens in new tab is a great place to share and learn from other passionate wildlife gardeners.
Be inspired by stories from our gardeners
Why do we garden for wildlife?
"I love to see the butterflies I love the birds to sing
How can I to my garden native creatures bring?
Without food and shelter they will not come my way
So I will rethink my garden starting right away
But what to plant these creatures to invite
Maybe Gardens for Wildlife can guide me aright
Every site is different each owners preference is unique
But a friendly garden visit is sure my interest to pique
Some ideas, some suggestions as to how I might proceed
Will help me get started, should turn intention into deed"
Poem by G4W Volunteer and habitat gardener Anne
