What You Can Do
Contact us
Please email urbanecology@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au to report any unusual fauna sightings in the City of Sydney, or to raise any biodiversity-related issues.
Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery
The Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery is a volunteer community group reintroducing local plant species to the City of Sydney and Leichhardt areas. You can help in nursery projects such as collecting and propagating seeds, nurturing seedlings, weeding and planting. New volunteers are always welcome. No special skills required.
When
Wednesdays 8.30am to 2pm and Fridays 8.30am to 2pm at the nursery. Also the first Sunday of each month 9.30am to 12.30pm at Callan Park.
Where
The nursery is located at the end of Chapman Road Annandale, just past the Nelson Street roundabout.
Pyrmont Ultimo Landcare
Pyrmont Ultimo Landcare is a group of volunteers who are restoring bushland to the city, and encouraging more native birds, lizards and other species into our area. Make new friends and have fun.
For more information, go to www.pyrmontultimolandcare.org.au
When and Where
Wednesdays 8.30am - noon, Saunders Street PyrmontSundays 8.30am - noon, Wentworth Park light rail stop
Plant a tree!
Each July the City organises sites for National Tree Day. Volunteers are encouraged to come along on the day to plant locally indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses in a selection of the City's parks. The events are publicised each year; for more information call the City of Sydney on 02 9265 9333.
Bushcare
Whilst the City of Sydney does not currently have a Bushcare program, the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority have prepared a brochure with Bushcare training dates around the region. If you are interested in learning about Bushcare, click here
Create habitat in your backyard
You can encourage native species by creating habitat in your backyard, on your balcony, or even on your roof or walls. Even small areas can be important – they can act as ‘stepping stones’ between larger habitat areas as well as providing habitat in their own right.
Dense plantings of locally indigenous shrubs and grasses provide food and shelter for small birds such as the Superb Fairy-wren and New Holland Honeyeater. Suitable plants can be sourced from a native plant nursery. Avoid planting large-flowering hybrids as these encourage larger, aggressive birds such as the Noisy Miner that displace smaller, less common birds. Bird baths are another good way to attract birds.
Rockeries and rock retaining walls encourage lizards such as the Eastern Water Skink and Common Blue-tongue.
Frog ponds are often readily colonised by native frog species such as the Striped Marsh Frog and Common Eastern Froglet, and fish ponds can be stocked with native fish that are readily available from many aquarium supply shops.
Avoid feeding birds, possums or other animals as this tends to encourage the more aggressive species at the expense of others, and they can readily find their own food especially if backyards and balconies have native plants providing nectar, seeds, berries and insects.
For more information on creating habitat in your backyard, visit the Birds in Backyards and Backyard Buddies websites.
Discourage pest birds
Both non-native and native birds can be pests and residents are increasingly concerned about species such as the introduced Indian Myna. The native Noisy Miner is also a concern because of its impact on other native species. Find out how to keep both of these birds out of your patch.
Sick or injured wildlife
If you find sick or injured native animals in the Sydney area, call Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Service (SMWS) on 9413 4300.
City living can be difficult for local wildlife and occasionally animals become sick, injured or orphaned. Volunteers from the SMWS specialise in rescuing and caring for native animals in the city and greater metropolitan area. The City has two SMWS volunteers on staff.
For more information:
Website: Sydney Wild Life
Control your pets
Domestic animals such as cats can decimate native wildlife populations, and feral cats have become pests in the City. Have your cat desexed, and keep it indoors, especially at night. Putting a bell on its collar may also help. All cats more than six months of age must be registered with Council. To confirm whether a cat is registered or make any enquiries in relation to registration please call the City of Sydney on 02 9265 9333.
Downloads
- Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery Information | PDF 137Kb
- Native Plant Species for Inner West Sydney | PDF 277Kb
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Last Updated: Monday 14 February, 2011
