Joe Perri’s passion is nature … so much so that he has transformed the backyard of his Point Cook home into a sanctuary for wildlife.
By introducing indigenous plants into his yard, Mr Perri has welcomed back birds, insects, blue-tongue lizards, geckos and fruit bats.
“With so many housing estates coming up around Wyndham, the natural environment is being ripped away from local wildlife,” he says.
“All you really need is some indigenous plants and a pond, and you instantly have a habitat.
“If we can create habitat gardens at every fourth house or so, we can create stepping stones for the wildlife to move on from one environment to another.”
Mr Perri will be running a workshop on habitat gardening as part of the council’s Green Living Series next month.
The series will feature more than 20 events, including workshops on bird-watching and bee-keeping, how to ‘up-cycle’ clothing, a garden swap and a weed expo.
Environment and sustainability portfolio- holder Cr Peter Gibbons said last year’s series attracted more than 1200 people.
“These free workshops can show you how to save money, improve your home and learn new skills, all the while having fun and meeting new people,” he said.
“There are also some activities for the kids, including a trash puppets school holiday activity.”
Cr Gibbons said that last year, 70 per cent of the council’s free events had been filled to capacity, so booking was now required.
Details and bookings are online at www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/greenlivingseries
