Braybrook Men’s Shed members have been hard at work creating new habitat for Maribyrnong wildlife.
Footscray High School would also be painting some of the 110 boxes for a range of animals, including ringtail possums, bushtail possums and microbats.
Maribyrnong council has already installed 50 nesting boxes across 13 parks and reserves and are looking for homes for an additional 60 nesting boxes for installation in residents’ backyards providing more safe places for animals to nest.
The boxes were made in two styles – from old tree logs formed to mimic a natural growth with a hollow in the centre for the animal to call home, and from plywood to look like a small house with a hole for the animal to crawl through.
The resident nesting boxes will be allocated on a first in, best dressed basis providing applicants meet the selection criteria, which includes space, tree cover and location.
Ideally, suitable areas would include a garden close to a water source such as a river or creek and a large tree.
Council also runs a range of engaging environmental workshops and activities for schools and childcare facilities in Maribyrnong, such as the Junior Rangers Program, where children learn about local wildlife and take a look inside some of our nesting boxes using our telescopic camera.
Details: www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/nesting-box-program
