Landscapers, professional gardeners, designers and urban planners: learn about nesting boxes with Jessica Kelley from Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary.

Across Australia, there are hundreds of species that rely on tree hollows for safe refuge and for breeding. Eucalyptus trees in particular provide hollows as they drop limbs over time, but on average it takes around a hundred years of growth before a tree begins to drop limbs. Unfortunately, large old hollow-bearing trees are in severe decline particularly in urban and agricultural areas, and this is contributing to species decline. 

Nest boxes can act as a substitute for natural hollows and can be designed to suit the specific needs of different species. This talk will highlight when to use nest boxes, the different designs available and how they cater to different species, and how to maintain the boxes.

This event is free for members of SGA's Green Gardening Professionals program. You can become a GGP member here: https://www.sgaonline.org.au/seeking-professionals/ggp-membership-benefits-and-join/

About Jessica Kelley:

Jessica Kelley is a biodiversity officer at Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary, La Trobe University’s long-running conservation reserve and outdoor laboratory. After studying wildlife and conservation science and completing her Masters degree with the Research Centre for Future Landscapes, Jess spent several years working in a range of roles involving restorative land management, environmental education, community engagement, and as a research assistant for Zoos Victoria in the threatened species and animal welfare teams.

Jess’s experience from these varying roles now informs her role at Nangak Tamboree, managing the monitoring and restoration of biodiversity including interventions such as nestboxes.