Did you know that private gardens and backyards make up 36% of Dunedin’s total urban space? By understanding the habitat we have in our backyards, we can take steps to encourage event more native species to live among us.

Our recent event; Back to the future: Re-introducing taoka species to Ōtepoti Dunedin, featured experts providing thought provoking discussions around improving the biodiversity in our city. This inspired us to put together some tips and tricks for improving native biodiversity in your backyard.

Here are a few options suitable for spaces and budgets of all sizes.

Bug hotels

Make your garden insect friendly. Build a natural bug hotel by making a pile of rocks, branches and leaf litter in a corner of your garden. DIY decorative bug hotels can also be made from tin cans stuffed with branches and leaves and laid horizontally. These will encourage native pollinators and other insects to move in.

Keeping your grass a little longer and eliminating pesticide use can also help support insect biodiversity.

If soft bodied pest insects are a problem in your garden, a strong yet of water from the hose or a spray with soapy water can be effective for removing them.

Find out your Gardenstar score

Gardenstar is a rating tool that helps residents understand how well their gardens support biodiversity. Recently developed by a University of Otago research team led by Professor Yolanda can Heezik, the tool looks at many different aspects that affect biodiversity.

Dunedin residents can use the Gardenstar tool to identify areas where biodiversity can potentially be enhanced. Gardens with more vegetation, particularly native plants, are especially attractive to native insects and birds that can help with further dispersal.

The Gardenstar questionnaire takes just a few minutes to complete. You can then send or scan a photo of your responses to the Otago research team, who can provide suggestions on how to make your garden home to more native biodiversity.