Green Tips

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At Home

What we do in our everyday lives has an impact on biodiversity. We can all make a difference at home by planting a garden to attract wildlife, reducing our ecological footprint (or impact on the earth), and following these green tips.

Gardening for biodiversity

• Create a backyard for wildlife by planting local native species that attract native butterflies, birds and other animals to your garden.
• Choose garden plants wisely and avoid planting species that are known to become weeds. A plant from your garden can become a serious problem for our natural environment if it escapes into the wild.
• Dispose of garden waste carefully. Weeds, prunings and grass clippings dumped in the bush can introduce or spread weeds.
• Use pesticides and herbicides sparingly. If you must use pesticides in the garden, think about using those made from natural ingredients, such as pyrethrum. Birds, frogs and reptiles can become sick or die if they feed on insects sprayed with pesticides.
• Use fertilisers sparingly. Chemical fertilisers increase nutrient runoff, which causes excessive algae growth in our waterways and the marine environment. In bushland, high nutrient water and runoff encourages weeds, which smother native vegetation.

Protecting wildlife

• Leave wood for wildlife. Consider alternatives, such as gas, for heating your home. If using firewood, obtain it from reputable wood merchants, not native bushland.
• Keep your cats inside at night, put bells on their collar and have them desexed. Native animals do most of their feeding at night and can easily become extra food for pets.
• Volunteer and learn how to be a wildlife carer. Contact Eyre Peninsula Fauna Rescue or the RSPCA.

Reducing your ecological footprint

• Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and minimise your consumption of resources.
• Reduce water consumption by taking shorter showers and installing water saving devices and rainwater tanks.
• Reduce energy consumption by switching off lights and appliances when not in use, installing energy efficient appliances and purchasing renewable power.
• Catch public transport, walk or ride a bike when you can and minimise car use.
• Take your own bags when shopping and select products with minimal or recyclable packaging.
• Buy local, in-season fresh fruit and vegetables to reduce the transport distance of food you consume.

Lobbying and donating

• Encourage businesses and governments to be environmentally responsible. Lobby on environmental issues.
• Make a tax-deductible donation to a non-profit organisation that works to conserve and promote our natural biodiversity. For example, Nature Foundation SA funds biodiversity projects across South Australia, including threatened species conservation on Eyre Peninsula.

On the Farm

A significant amount of the native vegetation on Eyre Peninsula and the Far West is privately owned. Our biodiversity therefore relies heavily on the protection and enhancement of these bushland areas on private property.

For more information see Managing for Biodiversity on Private Land.

As a land-holder, you can be involved in biodiversity conservation activities, some of which may also assist in managing your property and increasing productivity. It is recognised that such activities can be costly and time consuming. You can seek assistance with on-ground works, and in some cases funding, through your local natural resources management (NRM) officer and authorised officer with the Eyre Peninsula NRM Board.

Looking after habitat

• Plant local native trees and shrubs when undertaking revegetation on your land. Plants from other parts of Australia and overseas are less suited to the local region and might become weeds.
• Leave wood, such as dead trees with hollows, for wildlife. Leaf litter, fallen logs and branches, and tree hollows provide homes for insects, birds and other native animals.
• Fence native vegetation, creek lines and wetlands from stock. This allows understorey plants to recover, which in turn provides habitat for insects, birds and other native animals.
• Create a permanent private nature refuge for future generations by taking part in the Heritage Agreement Scheme. By protecting in perpetuity a particular area of native vegetation, land-holders can receive financial assistance for managing that land and fencing it if required.

Managing weeds and pest animals

• Introduced animals like rabbits, foxes and goats, and weeds such as Bridal Creeper have a significant impact on our native animals and plants, as well as our farms. Ask your local authorised officer from the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board for specific advice on controlling weeds and pest animals on your land.
• Become involved in integrated pest management activities, for example, by joining a land-holder network for fox baiting. Ask your local authorised officer for more details about the Integrated Pest Management Program.

In Parks and Natural Areas

Our national parks and reserves, together with areas of natural bushland, are important areas for biodiversity and provide habitat for native plants and animals. When visiting these areas please follow the National Parks Code (50Kb PDF).

The National Parks Code

Help protect your national parks by following these guidelines:

• Leave your pets at home - prevent them from harming native wildlife. Many parks have 1080 baiting programs to reduce predation on native wildlife, and baits can be lethal to dogs and cats.
• Take your rubbish with you - don't dispose of it in native vegetation.
• Observe fire restrictions, usually 1 November to 30 April. Check CFS Hotline 1300 362 361.
• Conserve native habitat by using liquid fuel or gas stoves. If using firewood, obtain it from reputable wood merchants, not native bushland. Leave wood for wildlife.
• Camp only in designated areas.
• Respect geological and heritage sites.
• Keep our wildlife wild - do not feed or disturb animals, or remove native plants.
• Keep to defined vehicle tracks and walking trails. When bushwalking ensure your shoes and clothes are kept clean to prevent the spread of weed seeds and fungal infections like Phytophthora. When driving in bushland areas, watch out for native animals, particularly at dusk and dawn.
• Be considerate of other park users.

Getting involved

• Join a Friends of Parks friends group to protect and enhance natural and/or cultural heritage in our parks and reserves. Volunteer for fox baiting, revegetation, wildlife surveys, weed control, track maintenance, clean-up days, reintroduction programs, and brochure and sign production. The following groups operate on Eyre Peninsula and in the Far West:
  • Friends of Coffin Bay National Park
  • Friends of Gawler Ranges National Park
  • Friends of Great Victoria Desert Parks
  • Friends of Kimba District Parks
  • Friends of Lake Newland and Waldegrave Islands
  • Friends of St Peter and St Francis Island Parks
  • Friends of Sceale Bay
  • Friends of Southern Eyre Peninsula Parks
  • Friends of Streaky Bay District Parks
  • Friends of the Whyalla Conservation Park.
• Adopt a bushland site in your area. Undertake weed control and other conservation activities. Contact us or the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board for more information.
• Visit local national parks, botanic gardens and wildlife parks, and learn more about local environmental issues. Share what you learn with your friends and family.

On the Coast

Increasing pressure is being placed on Australia's coast every year due to our growing population. There are many ways that we can reduce this impact and protect our coastal environments for future generations.

Looking after sensitive habitats

• Keep to defined trails and boardwalks when walking - avoid dunes, samphires, mangroves and other easily disturbed habitats.
• Keep to existing tracks when driving, trail biking or horse riding; but walk instead when possible - footprints have less impact.
• Stay off coastal regeneration areas so plants can establish.

Protecting animals and plants

• Avoid disturbing or removing coastal animals and plants.
• Leave rock pool animals and plants in the water. Species in the intertidal zone are protected.
• Leave empty shells on the beach as habitat for crabs and other marine life.
• Leave your pets at home or control them so they don't harass coastal animals.
• Report distressed or entangled seabirds and marine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals).

Protecting coastal birds

• Avoid coastal bird colonies during nesting seasons.
• Avoid walking in areas inhabited by burrowing birds such as penguins.
• Take special care when four-wheel driving on beaches during nesting seasons. Nests and fledglings of beach-dwelling birds are difficult to see and are easily destroyed by vehicles.
• Leave domestic animals at home or control them near coastal birds.

Responsible fishing

• Follow size and bag limits when fishing.
• Dispose of unwanted fishing line, nets and bait packaging on land. They can be lethal to marine creatures.
• Avoid collecting bait from protected or sensitive areas and collect only what you need. Leave some for food for marine animals.

Responsible boating

• Use moorings where available and avoid dragging anchors, propellers and mooring chains. This will reduce damage to reefs, seagrass beds and the sea floor.
• Avoid use of plastics and store rubbish securely for proper disposal back on land.
• Use suitable antifouling paints and biodegradable engine oil.
• Slow down and give whales, dolphins and seals plenty of space. Regulations apply.
• Wash down your boat before moving it to different areas. This will reduce the spread of marine pests.

Caring for protected areas

• Observe restrictions in Marine Protected Areas related to boat speeds, removal of plants and animals, and human activities like fishing and camping.
• Don't disturb shipwrecks or Indigenous heritage sites, such as shell middens and rock shelters.

Reducing pollution and rubbish

• Take your rubbish with you and recycle or dispose of it properly on land.
• Minimise the amount of rubbish you generate. Reuse and recycle.
• Prevent rubbish, detergents, oils and other chemicals from entering stormwater drains. What goes down the drain ends up in the sea.

Getting involved

• Join a local Coastcare or community action group. Contact your local Coastal and Marine Management Officer at the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board for details.

At School

See For Schools for more information on how schools can get involved in biodiversity conservation.

References

These green tips have been adapted in part from:

• Coastcare's '50 ways to care for our coast'
• Environment Australia's 'Time to act: everyday tips to help protect the environment'
• Surfrider Foundation Australia