Free lessons in getting back to nature

The City of Sydney will celebrate national Biodiversity Month this September with a series of free wildlife workshops to help people of all ages learn more about our local birds, bats and trees.

Biodiversity Month is an annual international event that aims to promote the importance of looking after plant and animal communities and improving wildlife habitat.

There are around 365 native plants and 99 wildlife species in the City, including superb fairy wrens, black-winged stilts and eastern blue-tongued lizards.

New habitat areas are being created across the city to attract native wildlife and migrating birds. Hollow logs for nesting have been recently installed in Sydney Park’s wetlands to create a sanctuary for creatures such as turtles, ducks and eels. Along the seawall at Glebe’s Jubilee Park, special seawall pots are enticing marine life including small fish, starfish and crabs.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said all year round the City stages a range of programs and initiatives to boost urban wildlife in the heart of the city and encourage a range of fauna to stay.

“As our urban areas continue to grow, it’s increasingly important that we nurture our green, open spaces, native wildlife and eco-systems,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This biodiversity provides beautiful, natural areas for our smaller city dwellers to thrive and for human dwellers an urban oasis away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

“A flourishing urban ecology plays a vital role in making our city a more liveable environment and enriches our quality of life. The City is committed to preserving this precious flora and fauna for future generations to enjoy.”

A spring annual bird survey will be held in October to collect important data that will assist the City to guide habitat management and monitor long-term trends in species diversity and abundance.

Biodiversity Month – from September 1 to September 30 – aims to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity both within Australia and across the world.

Upcoming wildlife opportunities:

Saturday 23 August, 9.15am for a 9.30am start to 11.30am 

Sydney Park Pavilion, Euston Road, St Peters (behind Alan Davidson Oval)

Bring small birds back to your garden and city

Sydneysiders are invited to learn how to create a bird-friendly garden or balcony to attract small birds. Presentation Birdlife Australia speaker.

Wednesday 27 August, 10am to noon

Paradise Park, Bulwarra Road

Paradise Park planting event

Volunteers will plant native shrubs and grasses to provide habitat for small birds and form a green corridor for wildlife. City staff will be onsite to offer planting advice and answer questions. Please confirm attendance by calling 02 9265 9782.

Saturday 20 September, 9.15am for 9.30am start to 11.30am

Sydney Park Pavilion, Euston Road, St Peters (behind Alan Davidson Oval)

Bird surveying and identification workshop

The City is holding a bird identification workshop with Birdlife Australia. The workshop is an opportunity to practice identification skills and learn about bird species found in the city.

Thursday 25 September 5.30pm for a 5.45pm start to 8pm

Sydney Park, meet at car park next to brick kilns off Princess Highway

Bat walk and talk

Find out more about the world of bats with a guided bat walk and talk in Sydney Park. At least four definite species of microbat have been recorded in the city including the threatened Eastern bentwing bat and Gould’s wattled bat.

Saturday 4 October, 9:15am for 9:30am start to 12:30pm

St Helens Community Centre, 184 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Native bee workshop

Discover the diverse world of stingless native bees and how to identify them in your own garden. The workshop will also look at ways to create habitat to attract more to pollinate your own flowers and edibles.

For more about the city’s urban wildlife visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/live/animals/wildlife/local-wildlife-watch