Maintaining an asset protection zone, cutting out “fire ladders”, choosing the right mulch and proper spacing between plants are some of the secrets to protecting your property from bushfire.

And these secrets and more will be shared at this free Nature Conservation Margaret River Region fire-wise workshop and live garden installation as part of the conservation group’s For Nature Landholder Stewardship Program.

The workshop from 10am-12noon will see the Wallcliffe Volunteer Fire Brigade at 557 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River becomes home to an educational garden patch which will be planted to show attendees the key principles of a fire-wise garden.

As part of the event, award-winning environmental designer and educator Chris Ferreira from the Forever Project will host a live fire-wise garden demonstration, covering key topics like plant choice and location, choosing mulch, protecting your home and assets, preserving key habitat species, and removing “fire ladders” such as tangled, lower branches of trees.

“We had an intense summer of wildfires which puts fire risk at the forefront of people’s minds. And although we’re in the winter months, now is the time to be planning fire management at your place for the coming spring and summer,” says Peta Lierich, who runs NCMRR’s For Nature program.

“It’s a good time to reinvent or install a garden at your place, so we are showing the region you can have a native garden in a bushfire-prone zone if you incorporate some fire-wise principles.

“Being bushfire-safe doesn’t mean you have to decimate your garden, remove trees and compromise biodiversity and amenities. We want to show the community that you can have diverse native gardens that are fire-wise – as long as you stick to some simple principles.”

Mr Ferreira said he was excited to come to the Margaret River region to share his extensive knowledge. He described the live demonstration as a “fusion of education and entertainment”. “It’s a fast-paced and engaging performance, which will see an expert team from the Forever Project narrate the installation of a sustainable fire-wise garden from the ground up,” he said. “The narration provides insight into the reasoning and environmental science behind all decisions and actions taken to create the space.”

Resources and prizes will also be available to participants including:

Chris Ferreira's book 'A Place in the Country - a guide to creating your patch of rural paradise' available for purchase and one will be given away as a prize
win a copy of Lesley Corbett's 'Safer Gardens - plant flammability & planning for fire'
plant lists
information sheets
Jane Scott wildflower books.

This event will proceed even if the weather is inclement - but come prepared with warm clothing, a raincoat and umbrella. Please also bring drinking water, and plenty of questions for our presenters!

Please registered with our For Nature Landholder Stewardship Program to take part in this workshop. Registration is free and takes just a couple of minutes. And it comes with benefits like grants for conservation work at your place, free equipment hire, and access to loads of information and advice to give nature a hand at your place.

For Nature is proudly supported by funding from the West Australian Government’s State Natural Resources Management Program, the Water Corporation and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.