Biodiversity is the variety of plants and animals that make our suburbs, parks and foothills healthy and resilient. Discover how we protect local habitats and how you can help.
Biodiversity is the variety of all living things including plants, animals, insects, fungi and micro-organisms and the way they interact with each other. Together they form ecosystems that quietly support our everyday lives.
Even in highly urbanised areas like the City of Mitcham biodiversity is working every day to support:
- Clean air and water
- Healthy soil
- Cooler neighbourhoods
- Climate resilience
- Community wellbeing
Across our gardens, streetscapes, reserves, creek lines and foothills these spaces form an interconnected network of habitats. Even a single garden or verge planting can help support local wildlife.
Our local natural heritage: Grey Box Grassy Woodland
City of Mitcham is home to some of the last remaining patches of Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa Grassy Woodland. This is a nationally threatened ecological community that once covered much of the Adelaide plains and foothills.
Due to land clearance and urban development across South Australia less than 10% of this ecological community remains.
Many of our hill face reserves contain Grey Box Grassy Woodlands of high conservation significance. These areas:
- Support native birds, pollinators, reptiles and small mammals
- Contain diverse native grasses, wildflowers and orchids
- Help reduce heat and strengthen climate resilience
- Provide hands-on learning and restoration opportunities
If you have explored our trail network you have likely walked through Grey Box Woodland.
Protecting and restoring this important ecosystem is a shared priority for us, Green Adelaide and local environmental groups.
Read the Grey Box Grassy Woodland booklet on the Department of Climate Change Energy the Environment and Water website.
How we protect biodiversity
City of Mitcham is committed to protecting, enhancing and restoring natural areas across our district. Our work aligns with Green Adelaide goals and emerging State biodiversity frameworks.
Protecting remnant vegetation
We safeguard significant patches of Grey Box Grassy Woodland in our reserves by:
- Managing invasive weeds and pest species
- Supporting natural regeneration
- Identifying priority areas for conservation and restoration
- Embedding biodiversity into planning and development
- Partnering with Green Adelaide and local volunteer groups
Restoring habitat and improving connectivity
Healthy ecosystems rely on connected habitats. We are working to:
- Restore Grey Box habitat in parks, reserves and creek lines
- Increase tree canopy through diverse street tree plantings
- Implement water sensitive urban design to support trees and wildlife
- Strengthen wildlife corridors so native birds and animals can move safely through our suburbs
Environmentally responsible land management
We manage our natural areas in ways that build ecological resilience by:
- Reducing chemicals that harm beneficial species
- Planting native and drought tolerant species
- Considering biodiversity in infrastructure and open space projects
- Supporting residents through environmental community grants
Community participation
Community stewardship is a key part of local biodiversity conservation. We support:
- Volunteer bushcare and restoration groups
- Grey Box Grassy Woodland rehabilitation
- Community planting days
- School and community environmental education programs
- Citizen science initiatives such as biodiversity monitoring
Get involved
Protecting biodiversity is something we can all be part of. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to build your skills in bushcare, there are many ways to get involved.
Open Space Volunteering
Join one of our volunteer programs and help care for local reserves, bushland and open spaces.
Explore open space volunteering opportunities.
Bush For Life
Bush For Life is a Trees For Life program that began in 1994 to help regenerate remnant vegetation on previously cleared or grazed bushland using minimal disturbance techniques.
The program offers practical and hands-on learning opportunities including:
- Bushcare workshops
- Bushcare site adoption
- Group activities such as Bush Action Team days across a variety of sites
Bush For Life partners with City of Mitcham across 31 local sites and welcomes anyone interested in volunteering at a community level.
Gardening for healthy ecosystems
Why garden for biodiversity
Your garden can make a real difference.
Native gardens help to:
- Support birds, bees, butterflies and pollinators
- Provide habitat for reptiles and beneficial insects
- Reduce urban heat
- Connect habitats between reserves
- Strengthen ecosystem resilience
Support Grey Box ecosystems at home
Planting species that belong to the Grey Box Grassy Woodland ecosystem is one of the most effective ways you can help protect this nationally threatened community.
By choosing locally native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers your garden or verge can:
- Provide habitat for native wildlife
- Strengthen connections between woodland patches
- Preserve local plant diversity
Local native nurseries can provide advice on plant selection and local provenance.
Creating wildlife friendly gardens
Creating a habitat for wildlife is a great way to connect with nature and protect urban biodiversity. You’ll be rewarded with fascinating and beautiful visitors that will bring you and your family great joy as they feed, bathe, drink, nest and make themselves at home in your backyard.
Declared plants in South Australia
Some plant species must be legally controlled by landholders. These are known as declared plants and are regulated under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.
If you have declared plants on your property you must take steps to control them.
Plants that pose a risk to native bushland
Many garden plants provide colour, shade and screening but some can spread into nearby bushland.
When garden plants escape they can:
- Outcompete native plants
- Reduce wildlife habitat
- Increase bushfire risk by adding fuel loads
Download the Green Adelaide environmental weeds brochure PDF
If you have any of these plants on your property take steps to manage them and avoid moving them elsewhere.
For advice contact us on 1300 133 466 or visit the Green Adelaide website for help with pest plants.