It’s that time of year again when we go into panic mode, thinking of what Christmas gifts to buy family or friends.

If your family and friends aren’t environmentally inclined, or lack knowledge of our unique wildlife, then this is the time to help them understand. Gifts do not need to be expensive — there is nothing more special than a hand-made gift, so look in the shops, then go home and let the imagination run wild. Possum and bird nestboxes and cat aviaries come to mind.

Of course, my first recommendation would have to be to give a WILVO membership, as a Friend of WILVOS. For just $15 per year a whole family can receive the tri-monthly newsletter, discounted workshops and other bonuses. This may inspire them to later become further involved as an active carer of native wildlife. Speaking of workshops –why not buy them a ticket to one of the wonderful Dr Anne Fowler two-day workshops, which the WILVOS are presenting in February, 2008 with a 50 per cent discount for WILVO members. Anne is an amazing wildlife veterinarian, who can impart her knowledge in such a fascinating manner. One day deals with the husbandry and diseases of birds, the next, with marsupials.

The best way to feed our native wildlife is to provide native plants. Bread fed to birds, possums and kangaroos cause so many health problems for our poor wildlife, so why not feed them naturally by encouraging native gardening — fruit, nectar, and seed bearing plants are all welcome. Plants are always a welcome gift. Buying indigenous plants, whether they are trees, shrubs, or grasses, makes sense as they are adapted to local conditions.

Nest boxes for birds and mammals give year-round education and entertainment. Our wildlife can never have too many nest boxes. As development destroys their homes and animals find themselves surrounded by suburbia, your dry roof space suddenly becomes the best and only option for a safe home. Nest boxes give our wildlife their own home where they can safely raise their young.

Providing fresh clean water is another simple yet beneficial thing we can do. This is better than feeding non-native food to our wildlife. There are so many attractive water dishes to buy. When installing the dish, always place it high enough to reduce the risk of cat attack.

My all-time favourite gift is a cat aviary. Is there really a better way to protect your cat and native wildlife at the same time? You can then buy or make cat activity objects for future presents. Hammocks, hanging toys and scratching posts are fun and easy to make and give the cat some much needed enjoyment. Meanwhile the birds you have attracted to your garden are safe.

Toad traps and Indian Minor traps are a great idea to help eradicate these feral pests. However, it is important to look up advice and information from the relevant internet sites or government agencies beforehand. Don’t confuse the chocolate-brown coloured Indian Minor birds, with our native noisy miner. These native honeyeaters can be noisy, but tend to inhabit small remnants of sparsely-treed areas with little or no understorey.

Lastly, here’s one of my favourites — books, books, and more books! I can recommend Peter Andrews’ Back from the Brink. It is provocative reading, but should be on every bookshelf where farming land needs to be restored to its original state in the shortest time possible.

Wishing you all a very happy and safe Christmas festivity time.