NZ homeowners must plant more natives
To increase biodiversity and help reduce the decline of our endemic species, Dr Megan Burfoot, a lecturer at AUT’s School of Future Environments, wants Kiwis to plant more natives in their gardens.
In a short, anonymous online survey, she’s asking homeowners about their attitudes towards planting New Zealand natives in their own backyards.
“I hope the survey results will help identify common barriers to planting natives at home,” Dr Burfoot says.
“Once we know what the barriers are, we can address them, to encourage more people to choose Aotearoa’s beautiful native species for their gardens. ”
With land use intensification, habitat loss, human population growth, pollution and introduced invasive species, many plants and animals in Aotearoa New Zealand are in critical danger of extinction, she says.
Humans must intervene immediately to slow down or reverse the decline of these species.
Dr Burfoot says that in already developed and privately owned spaces, our gardens can contribute to these efforts.
“If private landowners planted more of our native New Zealand species, significant contribution could be made to the distribution, density and health of threatened species across the country.”
Other useful links
- Dr Megan Burfoot academic profile
- Study architecture and built environment at AUT
- Calling time on the imperial lawn
