Gardens for Wildlife (G4W) is a free program that helps Casey residents create wildlife friendly gardens. Gardeners of all experience levels receive support, resources, and practical advice to attract and protect local wildlife.
Participants can also receive an in person garden visit from trained volunteers and a voucher for indigenous plants.
About the G4W program
G4W is delivered in partnership between the City of Casey, local community members, and Gardens for Wildlife Victoria.
The program aims to:
- increase community understanding of local biodiversity
- support residents in creating habitat-rich gardens
- strengthen community connections
- support nearby indigenous nurseries.
Program benefits
Participants will:
- learn how to enhance their garden to attract local wildlife
- receive a free garden assessment with advice on indigenous plants
- join a network of like-minded local gardeners.
Garden visit rounds
Four rounds of garden visits will take place each year.
- Round 1: January – March
- Round 2: April – June
- Round 3: July – September
- Round 4: October – December
If you’d like to be notified when the next round opens, please leave your details at the link below.
Volunteer as a Garden Guide
We welcome volunteers who are passionate about helping others create wildlife friendly gardens.
Garden Guides will:
- receive training in wildlife-friendly gardening
- connect with other local volunteers
- become part of the Gardens for Wildlife network.
Expert knowledge is not required. You’re invited to apply to join the next volunteer intake. A Council officer will contact you to discuss your application.
- Read the Garden Guide role description
Title: Gardens for Wildlife Garden Guide volunteer
Department: Sustainability & Waste
Division: Sustainability & Environment
Reports To: Environment Projects Officer
Enquiries: Simonette Charles, Environment Projects Officer – 9709 9428
Location: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive Narre Warren
Purpose The Gardens for Wildlife program assists Casey residents to create a garden that will attract and support local wildlife. Through the program, residents receive a property visit, wildlife gardening information kit and updates on local activities where they can build new skills and meet likeminded residents. They will also be given a voucher to purchase indigenous plants at nearby nurseries.
The garden guides play a vital role in the Gardens for Wildlife program, acting as ambassadors for the program and friendly and open educators. Garden guides conduct one-off visits to participating gardens to provide information on environmental weeds that may be present and how they can be removed or controlled, as well as the indigenous/native plants and features that can be included in the garden to provide safe habitat for local wildlife. Volunteers will also prepare a follow-up report that will be given to the resident as a record of the advice they have given.
Role responsibilities
As a Casey Gardens for Wildlife volunteer your duties may include:
- Conduct residential garden visits within the municipality of Casey together with another volunteer or council staff member. Appointments will be scheduled by the Program Coordinator
- Provide site specific information on habitat creation, weed control and other relevant aspects as directed by the program coordinator within the context of the existing home garden. Training in wildlife gardening will be provided to all volunteers.
- Take written notes on observations (to be used in creation of the follow-up report for the resident). Notes should be provided (via email) to the program coordinator for review within 7 days
- Adhere to all Council policies and procedures that are relevant to the volunteer role
- Operate in a manner that includes awareness of risk at all times, including advising Council of any changes in your circumstances that may impact on your ability to perform your volunteer role safely.
- Treat participants with courtesy aligning with customer service practices that meet both the community’s needs and also Council’s needs
- If any concerns, incidents or improvement opportunities are identified, discuss these with the program coordinator.
- Attend required induction, training and meetings as outlined by the program coordinator.
Volunteer expectations
As a volunteer at the City of Casey you are entitled to:
- A satisfying role that has taken into consideration your interests, temperament, capabilities and time available
- Know what work is expected of you and to whom you are accountable
- Information about the City of Casey and the people you work with that helps you do your role well
- Work in a safe and healthy environment in accordance with the OH&S Act 2004
- Be treated fairly and shown respect
- Be appointed and treated within the Equal Opportunity Act and Anti-Discrimination Legislation
- Be provided with appropriate training
- Be provided with adequate supervision and support
- Be provided with an induction
- Be provided with access to a grievance procedure
- Have your information stored and confidentially maintained in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2014
- Withdraw from the service or program.
City of Casey expectations of volunteers
As a volunteer at the City of Casey you are expected to:
- Follow your supervisor’s instructions
- Respect City of Casey policies and Code of Conduct.
- Agree to work in a safe and healthy manner in line with the OHS Act 2004
- Be reliable and commit, where possible, to the agreed Duty Statement and working arrangements
- Appreciate and respect the confidentiality of information to which you may be exposed
- Nominate an emergency contact person, prior to commencing with Council
- Notify City of Casey at registration and when necessary of any pre-existing medical conditions that could be aggravated or any special needs that need accommodating
- Be honest, we all make mistakes. It is useful to discuss and learn from these
- Report injuries and complete an incident report for any injuries, incidents or near misses
- Notify your supervisor with adequate notice if you are no longer able to participate.
Requirements
The City of Casey Council has requirements that must be met. These may include:
- Completion of the volunteer insurance registration form
- Criminal records check / Working with Children check
- Sign the Volunteer Induction Checklist
- Read the Code of Conduct for Volunteers.
Desirable qualities
- Reliability, flexibility and patience
- Ability to engage with local community members
- Ability to read computer screens and printed documents
- Ability to communicate clearly both by telephone and face to face
- Ability to participate in a variety of relevant activities.
Confidentiality
Volunteers may become aware of private information while volunteering in one of City of Casey’s programs/services. It is important that volunteers understand they have a responsibility not to share this information. Confidential information includes a client’s personal life, including medical and financial affairs. It includes the business transactions, affairs, property, policies or activities of the Council program.
Termination
A volunteer’s service with the City of Casey will be discontinued if:
- Council receives notice from the volunteer of their resignation; or
- Council considers the volunteer has acted contrary to the Code of Conduct.
Upon resignation or termination, volunteers must return volunteer identification badges and any other Council property in their possession.
Resources
Guides & downloads
These free resources offer practical tips to help you create habitat in your garden:
- Gardens for Wildlife booklet
- What makes a Wildlife Garden (info poster)
- What makes a Wildlife Garden (colouring sheet)
- Your sustainable garden guide
Videos
Watch short videos featuring practical tips and inspiring stories from Casey residents:
Updates & community
Stay up to date with Gardens for Wildlife and environmental news in Casey:
Plant information
Indigenous plant nurseries
Planting local Indigenous plants in your garden has many benefits.
Nurseries that stock suitable indigenous plants for Casey gardens and partner with our program include:
- Cranbourne Gardens Growing Friends - Cranbourne (open during plant sales only)
- Conservation Collective - Somerville
- Southern Dandenongs Community Nursery - Belgrave
- Cardinia Environment Coalition Nursery - Deep Creek