Learn how you can support native Aussie birds by creating habitat on your farm or rural property
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Australian birds are in trouble. Australia is home to more than 700 species of birds which are either residents or regular visitors, and more than 300 of them are now listed as threatened.
Rural properties, including farms and orchards, make up 75% of the landscape in south-eastern and south-western Australia. They provide a mosaic of habitats that support a diverse range of birds and other wildlife. Many Australian birds make use of rural properties, whether for breeding, feeding or migrating.
The good news is – you can help by restoring habitat and creating a bird-friendly property. Adding native vegetation to your property will not only create habitat for birds, but it can also boost productivity through erosion control, water filtration, and natural pest control. By restoring woodland habitat on rural and agricultural properties we are creating healthy and resilient landscapes: a win-win for conservation and agriculture.
BirdLife Australia’s Birds on Farms program has been assisting interested landholders to plan habitat restoration activities on their property. Due to the success of our Birds on Farms program, the team has created two online courses to help get you started.
Birds on Farms: Creating a bird-friendly property: This course explains the importance of rural and agricultural properties for Australia’s birds, the benefits birds and their habitat bring to your property, and the key characteristics of good woodland bird habitat with practical information on how you can improve the habitat on your property to make it even more bird-friendly.
Birds on Farms: Developing a Habitat Restoration Plan for your property: Are you interested in creating more woodland bird habitat on your property, but you don’t know where to start? This course provides you with detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create a habitat restoration plan for your property. It will allow you to map your property and your assets, identify areas where you can create or improve woodland habitat and develop individual projects with budgets and required materials. This course has some requirements, see ‘Requirements’ below.
These courses will launch in early 2026. Join the waiting list to be notified by email as soon as they’re available.
Birds on Farms: Creating a bird-friendly property: There are no special requirements to sign up.
Birds on Farms: Developing a Habitat Restoration Plan for your property: You are required to have completed the course ‘Birds on Farms: Creating a bird-friendly property’ to gain access to this course. You will need access to Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice. You will need to download Google Earth Pro (free) to your laptop or desktop computer – this program is not available for mobile or tablet.
Birds on Farms: Creating a bird-friendly property: Approximately 3 hours to work through the course content. Additional time will be required to view any extra resources and put your learnings into action.
Birds on Farms: Developing a Habitat Restoration Plan for your property: Approximately 2 hours to work through the course content. You will require additional time to research your property, local birds and plants, and to map your property, gather quotes, prepare budgets and materials lists, and put it all into action.
After you’ve finished the courses, you’re free to revisit them as often as you need while you implement your habitat restoration projects.
You might have inherited your land, been on the land your whole life or recently had a tree-change. Perhaps you have a hobby farm, or a commercial enterprise. Perhaps you don’t farm at all but simply live on a large, rural property. Whatever your situation, if you’re a rural landholder in an area of temperate woodland or forest – this course is for you.
Both courses are created and presented by our expert Birds on Farms team, who have been working with rural landholders to create bird-friendly properties for the past 8 years.
This course is specifically designed to focus on the unique birds and habitat conditions in Australia.
Birds on Farms: Creating a bird-friendly property: One-on-one advice isn’t available, but the forum is a great place to share your ideas and questions with peers. This course also provides guidance on connecting with local experts and resources for your area.
Birds on Farms: Developing a Habitat Restoration Plan for your property: This course provides more tailored advice, and you’ll have direct access to the Birds on Farms team for more support to create and implement your habitat restoration plan. The forum is also a great place to share your ideas and questions with peers.
Yes, but the student experience is best on a laptop or desktop computer. You will also need to use a computer to access Google Earth Pro for the second course.
Yes!
These courses are made possible through generous donations from the Illawong Fund and a private philanthropist.
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Header image: Flame Robin by Deepak Kumar
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