Connect and Learn - Gardens for Wildlife

Connect and Learn + Share Table

Gardens for Wildlife

Presented by supporters of Gardens for Wildlife Toowoomba Region (G4W)

Monday 21 October 2024

6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

Attend in person or via Zoom

Join us at Level 3 Meeting Rooms, Toowoomba City Library, Corner of Herries and Victoria Streets, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, or attend online.  We'll send you the Zoom link once you book.

This is the monthly Connect and Learn evening for Permaculture Toowoomba Inc.

Bookings are Essential

Bookings are essential so we have contact details and know how many will be attending.

What We'll Do

6.30 pm - Learn - Gardens for Wildlife

Presented by supporters of G4W 

Members will share their knowledge and tips on how to create a suburban garden that attracts and supports our native wildlife.  

We'll learn about:

• Structure of a Garden for Wildlife
• Why grow plants that are indigenous to our region
• Why wattles are important and how to identify them
• Butterflies and their food plants
• Attracting birds to your garden
• Examples of a Garden for Wildlife

More about Gardens for Wildlife Toowoomba Region

https://g4wtoowoombaregion.com

G4W has a website that will help you to choose the right plant for your location within the Toowoomba Region. The information covers the extensive area administered by the Toowoomba Regional Council. 

There is so much variety across the region: the deep red, volcanic soils of the Great Dividing Range; the “shrink and swell” black soils of the Darling Downs; alluvial soils; and shallow, sandstone soils on ridges. Some areas suffer heavy frosts in winter, and rainfall differs markedly from east to west. You need to take all these factors into consideration when deciding what to plant. 

Growing the plants that are native to our Toowoomba region is the best option for you because they have adapted to our climate and soils over millennia, and best for native fauna because they have evolved with these plants. 

What does our fauna need?

• Trees and shrubs to provide cover and nesting sites for birds
• Flowers and fruits to feed birds, butterflies, beetles, and bees
• Low growing plants to protect the soil and offer shelter to small fauna
• Rockeries and hollow logs to shield skinks and lizards
• A reed-fringed pond that will quickly become home to frogs and attract jewel-like dragon and damsel flies

With the right plants and the right design, your garden can become a haven for our unique native wildlife. 

There is a self-assessment form that will help you to determine  how wildlife friendly your garden is and how to make it even more of a haven for our native fauna.  If you would like to know more please contact us below, and we will respond. Our goal is to establish a group of like-minded people who will promote gardens as refugia for our  wildlife. 

7.45 pm – Connect – Light Supper (provided) and Share Table

A light supper will be served (including Gluten Free and Vegan options).

Please bring your own KeepCup or mug so we can reduce waste.

Sharing of produce on the Share Table opens after the presentation to allow plenty of time for everyone to place their donations, and then allow you to browse, connect and make your selections during supper

Share Table

Do you have surplus?

We encourage you to bring your surplus produce, plants, seeds, books, craft supplies, and resources to share with others at our monthly Connect and Learn evenings.

Some ideas of what you could bring include – fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, milk, jams, pickles, preserves, jars, ferments, starters, SCOBYs, seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, tubers, pots, tools, gardening magazines, permaculture books, recipes, patterns, manure, coffee grounds, compost additives, worms, mealworms, wool, fabric, craft supplies, soap, natural cleaning products, plastic alternatives, produce bags – the list is extensive.

Please bring whatever you can and then take home whatever you need within our culture of generosity and free sharing

Membership

2024 Membership

• Annual Membership of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. is due by 31 December each year. 
• It's only $40 per person or $30 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home.  
  
• It's pro rata 1/2 price for 1/2 year after 30 June.
• Financial Members can attend events and workshops during the year at no cost. 
• You can pay your membership for 2024 at checkout when you book to attend this event.
• Membership forms will be available at the event for anyone wishing to join, or available here for download at http://www.permaculturetoowoomba.com.au/membership/

Parking

Free off-street parking is available under the library (enter from Victoria Street).

Access

The venue has access for wheelchairs, walking frames, and strollers as needed. Everyone is welcome (including children with parental supervision).

We hope we see you there!

Cost

• Financial Members of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. - Free
• First-time Visitors to a Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. Event - Free
• Non-Members - $10 per person
• Children attending with an Adult - Free (but please book so we know the total numbers)