Planting a tree is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Trees are nature's air conditioners - they help cool and clean the air. They also provide homes for wildlife and hold water in the ground.

Increasing biodiversity in your own backyard is easier than you think; it is about creating a safe haven for native species to live and providing a habitat for them to thrive.

Although most household gardens are limited in size there is potential to have some influence on native species such as bellbird, fantail and tui visiting your garden.

Tui, bellbird and kereru will travel for some distance to search for the flowers and fruit of native flora. If you wish to turn your backyard into a native wonderland you can plant a variety of native plants that provide fruit, nectar and harbour insects all year-round. Avoid using insecticide sprays on these native areas and remember to control predators of native birds such as possums, cats, mustelids and rats.

The presence of native plants in your backyard also provides a home for native invertebrates, butterflies and lizards. Whether you have an urban backyard or a paddock, creating a home for these native species helps to ensure that they are looked after and protected and provides a welcoming environment for wildlife to thrive.

Native shelterbelts and hedges containing native plants also provide shelter, protection and food for native birds, lizards and invertebrates. The benefits of native shelterbelts are vast; they provide a seed source for regeneration (dispersed by birds and lizards) and provide nectar for beneficial insects such as native bees, hoverflies and parasites.

When undertaking planning in your backyard, it is important to aim to replicate the native habitat that occurs naturally where you live. There are many plant nurseries that will provide ecologically sourced plants.

For advice on what to plant in your back yard to attract native wildlife visit the Department of Conservation website or contact your local native plant nursery.

For more information on how to bring biodiversity into your backyard check out the following reading resources:

• Indigenous Ecosystems of Otautahi Christchurch.
  Lucas Associates, I. Lynn and C. Meurk (1997).
  A set of three booklets identifying which native plants occurred naturally in the various suburbs of Christchurch.
  Available from the Christchurch City Council and Council Service Centres.
• Establishing shelter in Canterbury with nature conservation in mind.
  Pamphlet available from Environment Canterbury or the Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation, Lincoln University. 
• Attracting Native Wetland Birds Back to Christchurch.
  Pamphlet available from Christchurch City Council.
• Biodiversity on Farmland.
  Booklet produced by a range of organisations for farmers and other land owners to demonstrate how biodiversity can be enhanced to reap multiple benefits.
  Contact Selwyn Sustainable Agricultural Society Inc., Agriculture New Zealand, Wrightsons, Watties, Ministry for the Environment or Lincoln University.
• Going Native – Making use of New Zealand plants.
  Ian Spellerberg and David Given, Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. (2004).
• Motukarara Conservation Nursery native garden guides.
  Also see their plant catalogue list. Motukarara Conservation Nursery. Ph (03) 329 7846, or email jsantos@doc.govt.nz or jsantos@doc.govt.nz

Get Involved!

About the New Zealand Biodiversity Recording Network (NZBRN)

Record sightings of native birds, insects, flora and fauna in your region. The NZ Biodiversity Recording System is a web based system to view, record and process your natural history observations. It is being developed and administered by a team at Landcare Research and Lincoln University together with an informal stakeholder steering group from across New Zealand. The aim of NZBRN is to provide a secure and robust means of storing, retrieving and displaying natural history observations of native species from all over New Zealand and raise awareness of our natural history among the general public and school children.