arbilp3

Another great book,* Garden on the Verge* by Gayle Dallaston who could be seen as a 'verge activist' and has done much to increase the development of verges in Qld and elsewhere. The book covers just about all you need to know about creating a native verge or native strip in your street (including dealing with local council rules). Let's make our verges useful and beautiful AND save many native animals particularly our insects, lizards, birds and small mammals.

With the instability in the world and the rising price of food as more and more climate disasters affect our farming land, it is worth thinking about growing some of our own produce and/or starting or taking part in community gardens. Permaculture, biodiversity, organics and companion planting are the principles that underlie the contents of this book which is highly respected. It can be bought from various outlets.

Details "Across Australia, devastating bushfires, floods, a marine heatwave and enormous harmful algal bloom are affecting communities and wildlife. While natural disasters have long shaped this country, climate change is increasing their frequency and intensity, creating a more volatile future...

In this interactive webinar, experts will share practical insights on what the future holds and how Australia can strengthen disaster readiness and response - drawing on lessons from events such as bushfires and marine heatwaves - while also addressing the often-overlooked mental health impacts of these events. The webinar will include a Q&A session." https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/22c8e5c4-ca2e-4603-b15d-01e44f15116f@fea0918e-fa13-41bf-affb-5f7ef42ce0c6

With all the horrific climate-relate events happening in many parts of our country and the toll this is taking on our native animals and plants it is more important than ever (and as a small safeguard for the future) that we offer shelter and food sources in our gardens, backyards and verges.
"Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, by the end of the course you’ll be equipped to design, establish and maintain a habitat garden to attract and support a diverse array of local birds, as we guide you through each step of the way." - https://birdlife.org.au/habitat-gardening-for-birds-online/

What ever you do to attract native birds will also attract other wildlife.

Interesting article showing the need for greater research and investment in protecting them yet more money goes to honey bee research.

If you live in an area impacted by natural disaster or you drive frequently near bushland or in regional / rural areas you can be part of wildlife rescue by carrying your own rescue kit. If the diagram makes you feel a bit overwhelmed, please ask what some of the items are for. For example, the line marking paint is to mark a dead female marsupial to show that her pouch has been checked for a joey.
Very young joeys with no fur, called pinkies, attached to teats should NOT be pulled off as it can do their mouths great damage. Most everyday people don't feel confident with rescuing pinkies so it's best if you call a trained, registered wildlife carer. Sometimes that's not possible and I'm happy to provide more details if you are interested. For older joeys and all other animals it's best to keep them warm, in a darkened container lined with towels, blankets, etc, and get them to a vet or a wildlife carer asap.

🔥 🦎 🥺 WILDLIFE BUSHFIRE SAFETY TIPS 🥵 🦘 🔥

• Take domestic animals with you if you evacuate, or keep pets indoors so that wildlife can flee safely through your property.
• Leave out shallow bowls of water for animals and birds escaping fires, and add a few sticks or stones on one side to allow smaller animals to escape if they fall in.
• Keep a cardboard box, gloves, personal protective equipment and a towel in the boot of your car in case you find an injured animal that you can safely contain without putting yourself in any danger.

If you own a swimming pool and live near where fires are burning, there are some simple things you can do to assist wildlife that may be seeking water:

• Cover the pool edge to provide animals with a gripping surface.
• Use thick rope or a bodyboard anchored outside the pool for exhausted animals to rest on.
• Place bricks or large stones next to pool steps to help animals climb out easily.
• Regularly check the pool, including the skimmer box, at least twice a day.

• If you rescue an animal that has burns, do not attempt to feed it. Please wrap it loosely, ideally in 100% cotton fabric, place it in a ventilated box with a lid and keep it in a dark and quiet place whilst waiting for a rescuer or for transport to the nearest vet. Water should not be poured from a water bottle above the animal.
• Keep all wildlife away from children and pets. Handling wild animals should only occur in the course of containing the animal to reduce additional stress.
• Take injured animals to your nearest vet if you can safely, as they will require urgent vet assessment. Because fire conditions can change rapidly, please make sure you are informed about what is happening in your area before transporting an animal to care.
• Do not approach injured snakes, flying-foxes & bats, large kangaroos, raptors or monitors, as these must be rescued by trained specialists.
• No one should enter active or seemingly dormant fire grounds to rescue wildlife: leave this to trained, licensed wildlife carers who are authorised to work with first responder agencies. Do not hinder firefighters or emergency services during this time.

This is from a post from Minton Farm Animal Rescue Centre found on another platform. Please keep a look out.

"Another fledgling sulphur crest has arrived today with spinal injuries. We are currently being inundated with heat stressed wildlife. Birds and marsupials will throw out their babies when stressed so we are seeing juveniles thrown from nests and they sustain spinal injuries causing their legs to be paralyzed. Large parrot species, rosellas, magpies and lorikeets are suffering badly. Possums are going to ground under verandas in shopping centres trying to escape the heat. We are advising people to have sprinklers on under trees to cool koalas, possums and birds and putting out trays of water for them to drink and stand in. Thankyou. Bev Langley."

Perhaps this isn't news for people on this page but please speak to others about looking in on vulnerable people who may be seriously impacted by excessive heat conditions like the elderly, people with various types of disabilities and of course the very young. Leave water out for wildlife in shallow dishes and ensure dogs don't get burnt paws on hot pavements. Now it's also the time to encourage / demand that your local councils plant plenty of street trees to keep temperatures down. It's an investment for everyone's future.