Gardens for Wildlife

What is Gardens for Wildlife?

Gardens for Wildlife (G4W) is a free program to promote caring for nature through habitat gardening. Volunteers and Council work together to offer advice and resources for wildlife gardening at home.

There are many ways to provide shelter, nesting habitat, and natural food and water sources in your garden, whether you have a big backyard or a small balcony. This program can show you how with a visit from our trained volunteers.

We acknowledge the assistance of Gardens for Wildlife Victoria and founding program Knox Gardens for Wildlife.

Why Gardens for Wildlife?

Merri-bek has a remarkable diversity of indigenous flora and fauna, especially along our creeks and waterways. Private gardens are a significant part of green space in Merri-bek.

Through urbanisation, suitable habitat for native animals has decreased and become fragmented. This results in the decline of many animal and plant species. Our gardens can make a valuable contribution to enhancing the biodiversity of our city, and provide places of safety and refuge for wildlife.

By enhancing the habitat values of private gardens, we can link habitats and create places where our native wildlife can thrive.

How do I get involved in Gardens for Wildlife?

If you'd like to recieve a visit from our trained volunteers, visit the Gardens for Wildlife registration page to sign up.

You'll recieve a:

  • One hour garden visit from our friendly and knowledgeable volunteer Garden Guides
  • Garden assesment report offering advice on your garden
  • Voucher for 10 free indigneous plants
  • Copy of the Gardens for Wildlife Merri-bek gardening guide
  • Letterbox sticker identifying your committment to wildlife gardening
  • Selection of Gardens for Wildlife Resources

You can find further resources and information about programs across Victoria on the Gardens for Wildlife Victoria website. 

Gardens for Wildlife Guide

Our Gardens for Wildlife Gardening Guide is also available for download. You'll find lots of information about wildlife gardening, local flora and fauna as well as key nature sites in Merri-bek. 

Download Gardens for Wildlife Gardening Guide (PDF 7Mb)

Fruit Tree Net Swap

Are you netting fruit trees at home this season? Protect your fruit and our wildlife with safe netting this summer!

Some types of fruit tree netting can seriously injure or kill native wildlife, including birds, bats and possums.

In Victoria, household fruit tree netting must have a mesh size of 5mm x 5mm or smaller when fully stretched.

To help protect wildlife from entanglement in nets, we are partnering in the Fruit Net Swap Campaign with the Conservation Regulator and Victorian councils. 

If you are a Merri-bek resident, you can surrender your illegal fruit tree netting and receive a wildlife-safe net product in return. Surrendered illegal netting will be collected and recycled into new products. 

To check if your netting is legal, try poking a finger through the mesh and if it can pass through, then it’s too big. Click here to view the regulations.

Swap your illegal net with us at Glenroy Library from October 20, 2026 during library opening hours, or at one of the following events: 

  • October 20 2026, 4pm - 6pm at Coburg Library.
    Pop-up session, no registrations required. 
  • October 23 2026, 2pm - 4pm at Brunswick Library.
    Pop-up session, no registrations required. 
  • October 25 2026 11am - 1pm at the Mulberry Community Garden Spring Party, beside Glenroy College, 120 Glenroy Road, Glenroy.
    Registrations required. 

Important information for swapping your net:

  • You must be a Merri-bek resident to participate. BRING PROOF OF ADDRESS: An ID card or a recent rates notice will be required. 
  • Only illegal nets will be eligible for swapping with a new net product. Click here to view the regulations.
  • Limited net products are available as part of this program. While stocks last, residents will be offered a choice of a large net, fruit protection bags or fruit protection sleeves.
  • Illegal netting can be surrendered for recycling at Glenroy Library until 31 March 2027. 

Find out more in our Fruit Net Swap brochure, available English, Italian, Arabic, Greek and Turkish.  

Fruit Net Swap Flyer (PDF 750Kb)

Stai usando reti per proteggere la frutta sugli alberi (PDF 745Kb)

هل تستخدم الشباك لحماية الفاكهة؟ (PDF 766Kb) 

Χρησιμοποιείτε δίχτυ προστασίας φρούτων για να προστατεύσετε τα φρούτα σας (PDF 753Kb)

Meyvelerinizi korumak için ağaçlarınızda file mi kullanıyorsunuz (PDF 746Kb)