Boxes attract native wildlife to suburban properties

Boxes attract native wildlife to suburban properties

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Mayor Ruth Butterfield and Re-Cyc-Ology’s Simon Cherriman show off some habitat boxes.

City of Armadale locals are learning to go batty, with a program designed to educate residents how to attract more native animals to their yards.

The City of Armadale’s Habitat Links program held a workshop last Thursday at the Environment Centre, in Armadale Settlers Common.

Director of Re-Cyc-Ology Simon Cherriman outlined the need to retain mature trees so they could develop natural hollows required for wildlife to breed and shelter in.

Later on, Simon showed everyone how to build a habitat box.

Participants could also take home one of a range of habitat boxes including microbat boxes, possum, and small bird boxes which could attract pardalotes and parrots, and also a large cockatoo box.

Re-Cyc-Ology builds habitat boxes from recycled materials, repurposing them and saving them from going to landfill.

Mayor Ruth Butterfield attended the workshop and said it was fascinating to learn about the different types of habitat boxes and what’s required to attract a range of birds and mammals to nest on your property.

“Participants asked lots of great questions and took away tips and information about how to build and place a habitat box, to provide homes for different species of native wildlife,” she said.

“As part of the workshop, a Habitat Box was installed as a demonstration, in a tree outside the Environment Centre which will hopefully provide a refuge for local native fauna.”

The City encourages eligible residents to register their interest to join the City’s Habitat Links program and receive ongoing support to encourage wildlife and increase biodiversity to their property.

For further information, contact the City’s Habitat Links Officer on 9394 5000 or visit engage.armadale.wa.gov.au/habitat-links