A new batch of inspiring nature and wildlife gardens will be open to the community when the annual Open Nature Gardens Weekend returns on October 14-15.
Hosted by Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, it’s the third time the popular event returns after sell-outs in both 2022 and 2021.
“With 70 per cent of land in the Margaret River region privately owned, nature spaces in backyards are becoming increasingly important,” says event organiser Peta Lierich, who runs Nature Conservation’s For Nature Landholder Stewardship Program. “These spaces can support wildlife and biodiversity, help cool down our living spaces and by choosing local native species we can reduce our use of water resources. The open garden weekend is designed to educate and inspire locals on the benefits of planting native species, and give nature a hand in their suburban gardens or on their bush blocks and rural properties.”
Tickets are just $15 to attend all six gardens on the program during the October 14-15 weekend, with three gardens on Saturday and another three open gardens on Sunday across the Margaret River region. All money raised goes back into nature conservation activities.
“People can tour the gardens, hear about the ways each gardener has incorporated a range of native plants into their garden design as well as a diversity of features which cater to the needs of a variety of wildlife using the space for habitat and humans,” says Peta. “There will also be plenty of resources available, some plant lists and this year many of the plants will be labelled in the gardens, making it easy to note those of interest. There will also be a major door prize!”
Nature Conservation is on the hunt now for six new gardens that have not featured on the program before. They’ll include a mix of landscaped native gardens, dry gardens, semi-rural properties to suburban and coastal gardens – something for everyone! “We’ll have six gardens on the program and you can visit them all over the weekend, or pick and choose the ones of most interest. Come and get some local, practical and hands-on information and inspiration for your garden,” says Peta.
The full program will be released soon, and the event will go ahead rain, hail or shine. Reserve your tickets HERE or by following the links at www.natureconservation.org.au
“As well as coming along to this inspiring weekend, we’re urging people to register with our For Nature Landholder Stewardship Program – registration is free and takes just a couple of minutes. And it comes with benefits like grants for conservation work at your place, free equipment hire, and access to loads of information and workshops to give nature a hand at your place,” Peta says. See www.natureconservation.org.au/for-nature to join.
The For Nature Landowner Stewardship Program is proudly supported by funding from the West Australian Government’s State Natural Resources Management Program, the Water Corporation and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.