Nature and Wildlife

Nature and wildlife are central to the Mount Barker District’s identity, liveability and long-term resilience. Native vegetation, wetlands, waterways and wildlife support biodiversity, climate adaptation, community wellbeing, economic value and the character of places people care deeply about. As one of South Australia’s fastest growing regions, Mount Barker faces increasing pressure on these natural assets, alongside a strong and growing community expectation that nature be protected, restored and enhanced.

Read the Nature and Wildlife Action Plan 2026–2030 here

Biodiversity

Our local biodiversity is distinguished by the variety of native plants and animals found in the district. A significant amount of this biodiversity has been lost since European settlement. This decline can only be reversed by protecting native vegetation and renewing links to the original local landscapes. Many unique indigenous plant species occur naturally in the District. Trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses and many other plants provide food and shelter (habitat) for our native animals. These plants are found on roadsides, on private property (large and small) and in Council reserves.

View local plant Bioregion map

What is Council doing to protect Nature and Wildlife?

Council has an active biodiversity program aimed at protecting and enhancing native vegetation and habitat in reserves and roadsides. This includes supporting volunteering activity across the district such as ‘Friends of Groups and Bush for Life and revegetating degraded sites.

Fire Wise and Sustainable Landscape Garden Design

Are you looking to landscape your yard?

Have you considered using the range of local native plants, that are fire wise and ideally suited to this area?

Natives can be used in formal gardens as well as more casual designs.

Fire wise and sustainable landscape design incorporates all the fire wise principles whilst still including sustainable landscape design.

Fire Wise and Sustainable Landscape Garden Design booklet

Friends of Groups

Council organises and supports conservation volunteering at key sites across the district, including Mount Barker Summit, Yantaringa, Laratinga and Bluestone wetlands. For more information and to sign up to volunteer click here.

Bush for Life

Bush for Life (BFL) is a program run by Trees for Life. BFL is a volunteer-based program where supported community bushcarers help care for over 4,000 hectares of native bushland on over 300 sites across South Australia. Mount Barker District Council has been a part of the BFL program for more than 25 years and currently funds 18 sites at bushland sites across the district, with 24 active volunteers. If you want to get involved in the bush for life program go to visit Bush For Life - Trees For Life.

Mount Barker Wildlife Gardening

Wildlife Gardening is an annual program run in collaboration with Second Nature Conservancy through the Mount Barker Community Nursery. Once a year, Mount Barker district residents can purchase subsidised plant packs - 20 local native plants for $25 - to create a low maintenance garden that supports local wildlife. To read more about Wildlife Gardening and to sign up for future updates visit Mount Barker Wildlife Gardening.

To see how to protect and enhance biodiversity at your property or neighbourhood check out the Living Sustainably virtual community.

Revegetation Program

Each year Council plants more than 10,000 native plants as a part of efforts to recreate habitat. Council’s revegetation program is targeted at linking and buffering remnant vegetation sites, establishing habitat in urban areas and along linear trails and in supporting schools and community groups. In July each year Council organises community planting days in conjunction with Planets Ark’s National Tree Day.