'Habitat open garden' at Julianne and Greg Sharp's Wodonga property to showcase the benefits of wildlife-friendly design

But no matter how ominous the big picture may seem, many people making small changes in their own circles does make a difference.

What that looks like at one West Wodonga property is a 15-year effort to transform a dry, empty 1.5-acre block into an oasis for birds, echidnas, lizards, turtles and more.

Julianne and Greg Sharp have seen nearly 70 different species of birds visit their property as a result of their research and thoughtful plantings.

"My husband's always been interested in birds too, so every time we saw something that was not a galah or a magpie, we'd look it up in the bird book," Julianne said.

"Greg started to jot down the sightings and it became a bit of a thing.

"Once you see birds appearing and other animals, you think, 'What else can I do?'"

The presence of old, hollow-bearing trees and corridors of plants means the block, situated in a valley between Hunchback and Federation hills, is an important link for local wildlife.

The Sharps can't take all the credit - a sizeable dam at the front was dug by previous owners, and an ancient Blakely's red gum towering above it has weathered many decades and droughts.

But without the couple's additions - of shrubs, trees, rocks, nestboxes and eco-friendly materials like newspaper weed-mat - the property would not be as alive as it is today.

"When we bought it, the dam had been recently developed and it was very dry and bare except for some eucalyptus seedlings," Julianne said.

"The dam is a real asset that has brought a lot of birds and wildlife.

"But it's important there are plantings around the dam so it's protected.

"We've had turtles lay eggs on the bank and ducks have their ducklings here.

"Not everybody gets to see a tawny frogmouth - that was pretty special."

The Sharps will open their property to the public next weekend in conjunction with Gardens for Wildlife Albury-Wodonga.

But unlike many other events that showcase camellias and other exotics, this 'habitat open garden' will be about native species, and making some sacrifices (like apple-green, expansive lawns) for the good of the environment.

The Gardens for Wildlife idea was born in 2010 as an initiative of the Friends of Willow Park group, and since 2017 it has been run through the Wodonga Urban Landcare Network.

Project officer Lizette Salmon co-ordinates at least one event each month.

"We do things like bird-bath-making and propagating workshops, and we have people with expertise on local birds and insects do presentations," she said.

"There's certainly a greater recognition that we need to do more to protect our wildlife and environment.

"Australia is a biodiversity hotspot; 94 per cent of frogs, and 93 per cent of reptiles in Australia don't exist anywhere else in the world.

"Yet we have a really poor track record when it comes to protecting biodiversity."

Thirty-one mammal species have become extinct since European settlement, and a further 56 species are threatened with extinction, according to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

"Land clearing and invasive species - both weeds and feral animals - and chemical use all contribute," Lizette said.

"Native gardens support wildlife and can be one of the most low-maintenance."

Not everyone can have large, undulating blocks with dams, but Julianne said every home owner could choose variety over monoculture, and environment over aesthetic.

"I think a problem is developers getting stuff wrong with making blocks too small - but then that's what people seem to want - so you have less opportunity to plant," she said.

"Having said that, you could plant native grasses, and there's even natural swimming pools people can have now instead of a chlorinated pool.

"As we've built our garden, it's been exciting to see our work pay off."

Lizette added that as much as following in the Sharps' footsteps would help the environment, it could also do wonders for the creator.

"The more people can do to create safe havens like this, the better," she said.

"A wildlife garden can be contemporary in its look and feel.

"And it brings joy - creating gardens like this."

The habitat open garden will take place from 10am to 3pm on Sunday, November 3 at the corner of Drewett and McGaffins roads, West Wodonga. Entry is by gold coin donation, supporting G4W activities.

For those who can't make it, below are some tips from Gardens for Wildlife Albury-Wodonga project officer Lizette Salmon to help you create a wildlife-friendly garden.

Select plants that are mostly native and if possible, local to the area. They provide food and shelter and require little water.

Grow a diversity of plants of variable height. Native animals use a range of habitats, so the more plant variety you have, the more species you will attract.

Try to have something in flower all year by selecting nectar- and pollen-rich species such as bottle-brushes, grevilleas and native daises, as well as plants with 'tufty' flowers, like kangaroo paw and lomandra.

Again, diversity is key - just like you don't eat the same thing everyday, neither do our wildlife.

"When you're making decisions about what you buy, think about when things flower and also have a range in shapes of flowers," Lizette said.

Provide shallow bowls of water on the ground for lizards, insects and small native animals. Create a pond for frogs and tadpoles.

Install a bird bath at an elevated level to reduce predation by cats.

On cats - they kill millions of native animals every day. De-sex your pet and keep it indoors from dusk to dawn. Better still, build a cat enclosure, providing a wildlife-safe, indoor-outdoor experience for your cat.

Boulders, river stones and rock piles create great basking spots for reptiles and hiding places for frogs and insects. Place smaller rocks on top and larger ones below.

Avoid toxic pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides negatively impact bees, other beneficial insects, frogs, birds and bats. Use natural alternatives to manage pests.

Grow groups of shrubs to provide habitat for small birds - the denser the better. Also create areas of tussock grass and native daisies for butterflies, skinks and lizards.

"Shrubs are a big one because they provide nesting spaces," Lizette said.

"A lot of our wrens aren't good flyers, so they need spots to run into.

"You also want layers - trees, shrubs, ground covers and grasses."

Mulch, twigs, branches and leaf litter provide homes for beetles and worms, and in turn food for other animals.

"There is a desire by a lot of people to have their garden looking as neat as a pin," Lizette said.

"Leave some messy areas - love your leaf litter."

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