What Can I Do?

Be a part of the solution, what you do does make a difference.

Measure your footprint

To calculate your carbon footprint visit: http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/get_involved/low_carbon_diet/low_carbon_diet_-_set_your_goals/carbon_calculator

Maximise wildlife habitat on your property

Wildlife that can be found in our local area:

Birds and butterflys

Koala

Frogs

Freshwater turtles

Platypus and echidna

Kangaroos and wallabies

Possums and gliders

Flying foxes and bats

Quolls

Bandicoot

Potaroos, Bettongs and Rat-Kangaroo

Pademelons

Rodents

Lizards and snakes

Drive carefully with wildlife in mind.

 

Wildlife corridors – are areas of natural habitat that create links between larger areas of undisturbed natural habitat.  Wildlife use these links to safely move from one place to the next.  In urban and rural environments, backyards act as corridors between parks and reserves. 

 

Does your backyard offer a safe place for wildlife to move through? 

Things to think of include:

  • Keep your pets inside at night and put a bell on your pets collar
  • Ensure fences allow wildlife to cross them
  • Do you have wildlife friendly plants (food and shelter)?
 

Land for Wildlife – Land for Wildlife (LFW) is a unique, voluntary program which provides resources to private land holders and community groups managing land with existing wildlife habitat, as well as to those working hard to re-establish habitat through revegetation and restoration projects. Members enjoy benefits such as: A property assessment and management advice; Regular newsletters; Technical notes with detailed conservation information; Workshops, activities and field days, and free participation in Council’s environmental activities program.

Backyards for Wildlife - Backyards for Wildlife (BWF) is a regional program that supports and recognises the efforts of owners of smaller bushland blocks to preserve local wildlife habitat and link wildlife corridors in the urban environment.  As a landholder you must be motivated and committed to supporting nature conservation on your property by managing it in a way that clearly enhances the local environment.  For more information on either of the above programs, visit http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/environment.aspx?id=4416.

 

Creating wildlife friendly habitats – you will find lots of helpful info about turning your own backyard into wildlife friendly habitat on the council website.

 

Local habitat types – for a full species lists (pdfed) of plants that are native to your area contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Dealing with wildlife disturbances and living with wildlife – visit the Qld Governments Environment and Resource Management website for fantastic fact sheets on living with wildlife (eg. Bats, possums, magpies, turkeys, snakes etc.) http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/living_with_wildlife/index.html.

 

The following link takes you to a website specifically designed to help you identify the difference between frogs and toads.  Visit  http://www.frogsnotcanetoads.com.au/

Conserve water and energy

The Qld Department of Environmental Management (DERM) has very good information about using water wisely.  Visit: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/water/management/wisewateruse.html.

Visit the Qld Governments climate smart website for comprehensive information on using energy efficiently. http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/

Support local food markets

  • Petrie Farmers Markets – Old Petrie Town, Dayboro Rd, Petrie.  Every Saturday morning.
  • Samford Valley Markets, Cnr Serendipity & Mt Samson Rds, Samford Valley.  Second Saturday of the month, 7am-noon.
  • Northey Street City Farm, 16 Victoria Street, Windsor.  Every Sunday 6am to 10.30am.
  • Street Farmers Market, Blackwood Street, Mitchelton.  First Sunday of every month, 6am - 12noon.
  • Organic Farmers Markets, CREEC, 150 Rowley Road, Burpengary.  1st and 3rd Saturday of every month, 7am to 11am.

Control bushland weeds

Local native plants have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in our environmental and climatic conditions.  Over the years we have lost much of our native bushland to increased development.

We need to protect and repair the few remaining areas of local native plants. 

Exotic species that we plant in our gardens don’t stay in our gardens.  Wind, rain, birds and dumped clippings spread weeds into bushland where they rapidly take over.

Weeds cost Queensland an estimated $600 million annually and have significant impacts on primary industries, natural ecosystems, and human and animal health.

The Qld Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) where Qld Primary Industries and Fisheries now resides, have detailed weed information and fact sheets available.  Visit http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/4790_8331.htm to download weed info and fact sheets.

For a list of native plant species suitable to plant on your property contact the PRCA Catchment Coordinator on 07 3325 1577 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it