Citizen Science: February Update

For our citizen scientists, February was all about learning how to install wildlife-friendly garden structures! It’s an exciting phase of the Turning Gardeners into Conservationists project with our participants not only observing wildlife but now taking action to provide additional habitat in their gardens.

Workshops were held in Perth and Albany, and participants were also given access to the newly created Habitat Structure Installation Guide and online videos to guide them in the process of creating and installing their chosen structures. Each participant can choose to install a frog hotel, reptile shelter, bird bath, pond, or a nest box aimed towards birds, bats, or possums – or all of them if they really want to!

Training workshops for citizen scientists were held in Perth (left) and Albany (right).

To celebrate this new phase, this month we’re sharing with you some interesting observations of wildlife using existing garden habitat structures, sent in by citizen scientists.

Christine was surprised by a Western Ringtail Possum making itself comfortable in a gutter.

Taysha spotted a Red-eared Firetail bathing in the bird bath.

Sue found a Bobtail (aka Shingleback Skink) taking shelter under rocks in her garden.

Wayne observed bird chicks growing up in the nest built in a grate.

We’re really looking forward to hearing from our citizen scientists about their experiences installing their chosen structures and seeing what wildlife makes the most of them.

The ‘Turning Gardeners into Conservationists’ project is proudly delivered by UWA and Perth NRM, through funding from the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia Science Engagement Programme. There’s still time to join too – contact [email protected]