Making the most of every opportunity to provide new homes for wildlife

Published on 27 August 2021

Sadly, every year in the Byron Shire a number of large and mature trees die of old age, are damaged by lightning strike, or succumb to insects such as termites.

When this happens, many trees are cut down but Byron Shire Council staff only do this as a last resort.

“We must, of course, fell or heavily prune trees to reduce the danger of falling limbs as the trees deteriorate, but we always try to make the most of a bad situation,” Andy Erskine, Open Spaces Technical Officer, said.

“We inspect the sick and damaged trees in our parks, or next to roads and look for every opportunity to keep what we can for the sake of our wildlife,” Mr Erskine said.

“If we can we retain the structure of the tree and then get creative, adding features that can act as habitat.

“Our arborist contractors are very handy with chainsaws and they create niches, nooks and hollows that suit a whole range of wildlife including birds, possums and bats.

“We recently did this on a large eucalypt at Broken Head that had been killed by lightning and hopefully it will make a perfect new home for local creatures,” Mr Erskine said.

“I am pleased to report that we have created new homes for wildlife in damaged trees at Broken Head and Mullumbimby and the next project will be at Bangalow.

“What Council is doing is complementing the terrific work of Brunswick Valley Landcare with its Wildlife Safe Havens project that focuses on creating habitat for native animals and birds.

“Making nesting boxes or new homes for native animals is also a great project for children during the lock-downs and disruptions caused by COVID-19,” Mr Erskine said.

Information how to build wildlife/habitat boxes is on the Brunswick Valley Landcare website.

For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 02 6626 7320.