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Living Connections garden stories

Since the beginning of 2019 residents in Bronte and Tamarama have joined the Living Connection program to increase native vegetation in their gardens that will support our declining small bird populations.

Birds such as the Superb fairy wren and the New Holland honey eater are now rare sights in our gardens, but with some careful planting of locally endemic species we can turn that around.

This free program provides:

• Customised expert advice and free plants
• Tips on how to create a garden sanctuary for small birds, pollinators and lizards
• An opportunity to contribute to our green corridors so our wildlife can thrive.

Our Living Connections page has full details of the program and how to get involved.

Meet some of our Living Connections locals who are already reaping the benefits of greener gardens.

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  Helen's garden

  Bronte resident Helen was eager to work with Council to improve our environment. She wanted to create a waterwise garden that would attract native birds. Helen received 15 native seedlings from Living Connections including, pink tea tree, fringe myrtle, native fuschia, forest phebalium and heath banksia. Read more about Helen’s experience here.

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  Kevin's garden

  Tamarama resident Kevin was keen to grow some plants to help screen off the new development bordering his garden, while also providing useful vegetation for birds he no longer sees in his garden and the resident lizards. Kevin received 15 plants through Living Connections, including, Banksia aemula, Correa reflexa, Hakea salicifolia, Leptospermum laevigatum and Acacia falcata amongst others. Read more about Kevin’s garden here.

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  Matt’s garden

  Matt joined Living Connection after having an invasive Norfolk Pine tree removed. Matt and his wife were very sad to see the tree go but excited about the opportunity it provided. It was previously very hard to grow natives under the shade of the tree but now there was opportunity to grow locally native species that would benefit wildlife. Matt received 60 native seedlings including Calytrix tetragona, Angophora hispida, Leptospermum squarrosum, Phebalium squamulosum and correa alba amongst others through Living Connections and a sketch on the best position to plant them. Read more about Matt’s garden here.

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  Phil's garden

  When Phil applied to Living Connections, he was simply seeking some expert advice and suitable plants, to encourage the small native birds that used to visit the garden to return. Phil said 'I was pleasantly surprised by the kit that was sent out. In fact, so much so that I have had a total rethink of my original idea for our yard. Phil received 30 native seedlings through Living Connections, included Baeckea linafolia, correa reflexa, Melaluecca nodossa. Find out more about Phil’s garden here.