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Restoring your land can be a rewarding and eco-friendly endeavour. Whether you have a small backyard or a lifestyle block, there are numerous simple yet impactful ways to rejuvenate and contribute to a healthier ecosystem. Embarking on the journey to restore your own land doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with a bit of dedication and some eco-friendly practices, you can transform your property into a haven for biodiversity and sustainability. Here are 10 easy methods to restore your land and contribute to the well-being of the environment.

Sustainably use what you already have:

Layer your compost, alternating between greens and browns.

1. Start Composting: Embrace the power of composting by turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil. Composting not only reduces landfill waste but also provides your land with a natural fertilizer, promoting healthier plant growth and enhancing overall biodiversity. Choose a location that is shady and dry away from the house. You can’t use the compost bin like your red bin, though. Avoid adding diseased plants, meat, dairy, citrus rinds and pet waste to your compost. Do include a diverse range of materials to enhance the nutrient content of your compost. Coffee grounds, eggshells, yard waste, and small amounts of newspaper or cardboard all contribute to a well-rounded compost mix. Try to layer the organic matter in your compost bin alternating between fresh (like lawn clippings) and dry materials (like autumn leaves and newspaper )to get a good mix of nitrogen and carbon.  Once your compost is dark and crumbly with an earthy, sweet smell, it’s ready to use. Harvest the finished compost and mix it into your garden soil to improve its structure and fertility.

2. Practice Sustainable Gardening: Opt for organic gardening practices, avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Embrace companion planting and crop rotation to naturally control pests and maintain soil fertility. When curating your garden, prioritizing native plants is a sustainable and ecologically responsible approach. Native plants are inherently adapted to the local climate, soil conditions, and specific interactions with native fauna. Choosing them for your garden supports the intricate web of life that has evolved over centuries. Native plants provide food and habitat for indigenous insects, birds, and other wildlife, fostering biodiversity and ecological balance. However, if you are drawn to exotic plants, it is essential to conduct thorough research to ensure they won’t pose a threat to the local ecology. Some exotic species have the potential to become invasive, outcompeting native plants, disrupting ecosystems, and altering the balance of local biodiversity. Before introducing any non-native plants, check with local conservation authorities to ensure that your choices align with the principles of responsible gardening. Weedbusters produce Plant Me Instead booklets that profile the environmental weeds of greatest concern in your region. They are great resources, and they’re free! Remember, your garden doesn’t have to be all native or all exotic, choose plants that you enjoy.

3. Practice Responsible Water Management: Conserve water and reduce runoff by installing rain barrels or other rainwater harvesting systems. Collected rainwater can be used to hydrate your plants, reducing the demand for local water supplies and ensuring your land remains vibrant and green. Install water-saving devices, such as drip irrigation systems, to minimize water wastage. Responsible water management is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems on your land. In Canterbury, we tend to plant most successfully from April-September as this is when we get most of our rainfall. You may not be inspired to pant during the rainy season, but your plants and water bill will thank you. The plants will get established in their environment before the heat of summer and will require considerably less water as a result. Mulching is another effective method to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature, contributing to overall water efficiency.

4. Reuse Trees as Mulch: Instead of disposing of fallen trees or branches, consider using them as natural mulch. Mulching retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and gradually decomposes, providing valuable nutrients to the soil. It’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to make use of nature’s leftovers. In a garden setting you’ll want to chip or shred the wood to make it prettier, but for those larger spaces, you can allow sticks, straw and leaves to mix as effective mulch to retain soil moisture. Make sure to keep mulch away from the stems of any of your plants as this potentially causes rot.

Restore Your Land by Controlling Pests:

5. Encourage Natural Pest Control: Harness the power of nature to control pests on your property. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs or predatory nematodes that prey on harmful pests. This approach minimizes the need for chemical pesticides, promoting a healthier and more balanced ecosystem. In our nursery, we use as many natural systems as possible as stewards of our environment. Bioforce supplies natural predators against aphids, mites and other pests.

6. Establish Your Own Trapping Program: New Zealand’s skinks and geckos have experienced chronic decline in the face of introduced pests, namely rats, pet cats, mice, hedgehogs and mustelids (stoats, ferrets and weasels). If these species threaten your land, consider implementing a trapping program. This helps control the population of non-native species, preventing them from outcompeting indigenous flora and fauna. The Department of Conservation published a straightforward guide on how to build a backyard trap to help anyone interested in trapping.

The Jewelled Gecko is one of our rare and endangered species.

Make your land a sanctuary:

7. Build Bird Sanctuaries: Birds play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling insect populations and pollinating plants. Invite feathered friends to your property by creating bird-friendly spaces. Do plant bird attracting natives for our native bird populations,  set up bird feeders (which can be as simple as cutting an apple in half and hanging it from a tree),  and bird baths to attract a variety of species. By providing a safe haven for birds, you contribute to pest control, pollination, and the overall health of your ecosystem.

8. Create Lizard Habitats: The three main things you can do to help skinks and geckos in your backyard are to provide food and shelter and undertake pest control. Lizards play a crucial role in controlling insect populations. Integrate lizard-friendly environments by incorporating rock piles, logs, or sunning areas. Lizards need food provided by many of our native plants and shelter in the form of rock piles, rotting logs, driftwood, stacks of timber and retaining walls.  These habitats provide shelter and encourage these beneficial reptiles to thrive, contributing to a natural pest management system.

9. Plant Native Trees and Shrubs: Whether your mission is to restore your land or to create a safe place for our awesome indigenous fauna, planting natives is a crucial step. Enhance the biodiversity of your land by planting native trees and shrubs. Native vegetation provides essential habitats for local wildlife, contributes to soil health, and promotes a balanced ecosystem.  Additionally, they often require less maintenance, making them an excellent choice for sustainable landscaping.

Make friends:

10. Support Local Conservation Initiatives: Extend the impact of your land restoration efforts by supporting local conservation initiatives. Participate in community tree-planting events, wildlife habitat restoration projects, or environmental education programs. Some of the organisations we work with regularly are:

Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust
Living Springs
Styx Living Laboratory Trust
Summit Road Society
Te Ara Kākāriki Greenway Canterbury Trust
Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust

By joining forces with like-minded individuals, you contribute to a broader, collective effort to preserve and restore natural landscapes.

Embrace the beauty of a restored landscape while fostering a more harmonious relationship with the environment. By incorporating these 10 easy ways to restore your land, you’re not only improving the health of your property but also contributing to the overall well-being of the environment. Small, thoughtful actions can collectively make a significant impact, transforming your land into a thriving ecosystem for generations to come.