Environment Matters Spring/Summer 2022

Growing a greener future, together Habitat Gardens is growing beyond individual backyards to become a budding community of grassroots enthusiasts.

Council’s free Habitat Gardens program has a long history of supporting residents to replace environmental weeds with native plants and providing workshop and networking opportunities. More recently, program member Sandra Preston-Hatcher has been building momentum with new ways for Habitat Gardens participants to connect, from Instagram to regular native plant swaps. Sandra said when she moved to Ipswich, after living in a small flat in Brisbane, she was empowered to be able to create the biodiversity haven she had always wanted. “It was a joy to watch my plants flourish, and when I joined the Habitat Gardens program in 2020 I was able to claim a further 20 natives for the garden, connect with other passionate locals and attend useful workshops,” she said.

JOIN THE

MOVEMENT

There are many ways you can be a part of environmental change in Ipswich: HABITAT GARDENS – a free council program aimed at improving biodiversity in backyards. Sign up at Ipswich.qld.gov.au. Follow habitat_gardens_ipswich on Instagram BUSHCARE – many groups across the city hold regular working bees. Find more at the Volunteer Portal Ipswich.qld.gov.au/volunteering. LOCAL GROUPS – a range of community organisations are committed

to Ipswich’s natural environment, including: > Native Plants Queensland – Ipswich Branch > Bremer Catchment Association > West Moreton Landcare

> Springfield Lakes Nature Care > Ipswich Koala Protection Society

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