The Minister for Primary Industries and
Water, David Lewellyn, launched ‘Gardens for Wildlife' at the Royal Tasmanian
Botanical Gardens on Friday 29 August 2008. It was a perfect day and a perfect setting for
the launch which was well attended.
"This exciting new initiative of the
Department of Primary Industries and Water Private Land Conservation Program
provides the opportunity for people with small blocks of land and gardens to
get actively involved in conserving our State's wildlife".
The scheme has developed as a sister
program to the hugely successful, long-running Tasmanian Land for Wildlife
scheme and provides an opportunity for the wider community to get involved in
conserving native species.
There is growing recognition of the
importance of the role of wildlife in and around cities and towns, and there
are real benefits to the whole community from making wildlife-friendly spaces
and getting involved in more environment-friendly practices in urban and
sub-urban gardens.
Already there are nearly 100 members with
the overwhelming message of the need to increase awareness of the role home
gardeners can play in biodiversity conservation and to encourage others to
welcome wildlife in their gardens.
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
kindly provided the afternoon tea following the launch which was held in the
Gardens Restaurant followed by brief guided tours looking at the RTBG Tasmanian
Plants Program lead by RTBG staff.
The launch was
attended by a number of ‘Gardens for Wildlife' members as well as DPIW staff,
‘Gardens for Wildlife' partners, and Mayors and staff from several
municipalities. The Welcome was provided
by Dr Aidan Davison (UTAS) with Mark Fountain (RTBG) providing a brief overview
of the RTBG Tasmanian Plants Program and invitation to the guided tours - both
Aidan and Mark have been active in the development of the ‘Gardens for
Wildlife' scheme.
The formal and enthusiastic announcement
that ‘Gardens for Wildlife' is launched.
Hon David Lewellyn MP, Mark Fountain (RTBG) and Dr Aidan Davison (UTAS)
Mark Fountain (RTBG), Dr Aidan Davison
(UTAS) and Hon David Lewellyn MP
Photos by Simon de Salis, DPIW