Hollow habitat for Australia's precious wildlife
hollow habitat and nest boxes...
✓ Research-based design, construction, installation and monitoring
...where it's urgently needed
✓ Large-scale and rapid response deployment of habitat for regenerating and fire-impacted natural landscapes
...and everywhere else.
✓ Establishing safe and relevant places for wildlife to shelter, hunt, forage and reproduce and to build biodiversity across natural, agricultural, peri-urban and urban environments
Bushfire Recovery Projects
Bushfire Recovery Projects
Bushfire Recovery Projects
In partnership with land managers, NGO's and governments to replenish habitat for threatened species to:
- Better understand the impacts of fire on these species
- Identify the most effective science-based solutions supporting species recovery.
PRIORITY WORKS
WWF SoS Glider Research Trail supporting wildlife impacted by bushfire in Bundjalung National Park, Tabbimobile Swamp Nature Reserve and the Minyumai and Ngunya Jargoon Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA's).
Wildlife Safe Havens #1 with Brunswick Valley Landcare and supported by the WIRES Bushfire fund.
Wildlife Safe Havens
Bushfire Recovery Projects
Bushfire Recovery Projects
In partnership with farmers, landowners, Landcare locality groups and communities to establish habitat and support wildlife in agricultural and urban environments.
PRIORITY WORKS
Wildlife Safe Havens #2 with Brunswick Valley Landcare and supported by businesses, farmers and communities of the Byron Shire.
River-to-Ridge habitat connectivity project for Brunswick Valley Landcare and supported by the NSW Environment Trust.
The nation-wide "Box-in-every-Backyard" Habitat Hostel project for urban environments.
The Northern Rivers Farming Cluster habitat project supported by large agricultural landholders.
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Why Hollows are important
Many of Australia’s native fauna need tree hollows to shelter or to reproduce including:
- 17% of bird species
- 42% of mammals
- 28% of reptiles and
- thousands of insect species
These include owls, gliders, Glossy Black Cockatoos, phascogales, microbats, bees, possums, parrots, antechinus, ducks, rosellas and kingfishers as well as many species of snakes, frogs, skinks and thousands of insect species.
A range of hollow shapes, sizes, depths and height, from on the ground to high in the tree-tops, is necessary for biodiversity.
Hollows in fallen trees are equally important for species such as echidna, quoll, bandicoot and many lizards and reptiles.
Suitable hollows can take 200 years to form - and we need to provide hollow habitat for these species while the forests recover and grow.
Intense and widespread fires have dramatically reduced the number of available hollows for native species - for right now and for decades to come - across Australia.
There’s a further risk of hollow loss through the clearing of trees post-bushfires for safety, recovery and construction reasons.
The recent bushfires across Australia have destroyed:
50% of the known habitat for more than 100 threatened species
80% of known habitat of 49 threatened species
50% of known habitat of another 65 listed species
Scientists have warned that some species have become extinct and that it could take a decade to better understand this.
- The lack of species survey info means that these figures likely don’t reflect what is really happening.
- The Biodiversity & Conservation Act requires that all species listed as threatened have ongoing assessments in relation to populations, health and habitat.
- Non-threatened species do not receive as much attention and as such could be suffering significant impacts and decline before it’s detected. In fact experts suspect that many non-threatened species could now be threatened.
- Ecologists have called for an increase in efforts to better understand the populations and health of all species.
Products and Services
Nest Boxes & Hollow Habitat
Nest Boxes
Nest Boxes and Habitat Hollows targeting a range of bird, mammal, reptile and insect species.
Australian made in Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah NSW.
Sustainable, strong and safe.
Made from locally grown and manufactured Hoop Pine Ply and protected by Australian made, non-toxic and zero VOC Ecolour finishes.
Reclaimed and rescued tree hollows and concrete pipe caves are adapted to create habitat for a range of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects including endangered and vulnerable species.
These specialist and elegant habitat solutions are one-off and hand-crafted with precision and care.
Custom Projects
We design, build, install and monitor specialist nest boxes and hollow habitat for large scale restoration and biodiversity projects. Habitat solutions are made with the highest quality and sustainably produced architectural-grade exterior ply, including custom fittings and fixtures crafted from reclaimed and recycled materials. They are protected by hot-wax-dipping and Australia-made non-toxic Ecolour finishes.
Habitat Installation & Monitoring
Habitat Installation
Our professional team of tree climbers, arborists, ecoligists, builders and species specialists can consult and install with precision and care.
Starting with one box in your backyard across Byron, Tweed, Ballina and Lismore Shires - please call for others areas across Australia.
Services include large scale and rapid response habitat deployment in the Northern Rivers NSW region.
Habitat & Wildlife Monitoring
4G enabled infra-red, motion-sensor wildlife cameras, pole cameras for nest box inspection, song meters to record bird calls and sounds of the forest, bat detection and a range of technologies are used to assist in identifying wildlife and monitoring how effective the hollow habitat is.
Habitat Assessment
We work with leading ecologists and species and habitat specialists to provide a biodiversity assessment of wildlife, available natural habitat, efficacy of built habitat and feral pest identification and control measures.
Nest Box Specifications
Built to last for the long-term with high-quality sustainable, reclaimed and recycled materials
It starts with sound research and a zero-waste approach:
- Extensive research has been incorporated into the design and construction of the boxes to provide a safe and relevant habitat solution with the highest chance of being used by target species.
We then consider the materials - and first-up is the exterior-grade architectural ply:
- Highest-grade exterior ply is supplied as part of a Wildbnb Wildlife Habitat and timber industry partnership
- incorporates off-cuts from major commercial and government contracts
- ply off-cuts are categorised a waste product prior to our manufacturing - by re-claiming and reusing off-cuts, we’re able to save them becoming landfill
- Australian (S-E Qld) grown and manufactured Hoop Pine Ply
- minimal bond, high structural integrity and contains no toxic substances
- exterior-use warranty of 30 years
- plantation is independently certified under the Responsible Wood (RW) system meeting internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable forest management covering economic, social, environmental and cultural perspectives. It also gives Queensland's timber industry access to a "chain of custody" process for green labeling its products as coming from sustainably managed forest resources.
- alternatively, we use WISA Birch Ply produced with the highest levels of forest stewardship
- when installed properly and moisture exposure is low or moderate, the service life of the plywood board is 100 years at minimum (manufacturer warranty)
- there is no harmful substance released to air, water or ground during the use of the product
Fittings and fixtures:
- Custom-made fitting and fixtures are used where possible using recycled and reclaimed materials.
- All steel is either stainless or galvanised for longevity in the field.
Protection against the harsh natural elements - whiles remaining safe for wildlife:
- The boxes are protected with Australian-made, non-toxic and zero-VOC Ecolour finishes.
For large scale projects and specialist applications we have developed a ground-breaking process to protect the boxes for the long-term:
- Boxes are dipped after construction in a cauldron of safe and food-grade wax at 170 degrees
- all moisture is extracted from the timber and the wax penetrates 50mm into the ply
- provides a ‘waterproof’ and safe finish to assist in protecting both exterior and interior surfaces
- long-life (on trial) protective coating for the timber
- wax seals gaps and perforations to prevent moisture penetrating the ply
- allows for the use of the “laddered” feature on the entry panel – both sides – to assist target species in relation to box entry and exit
- reduces the need for toxic paint finishes
- Approx. 30grams of wax is absorbed by each box
- high quality stand-alone cost-effective solution
- beekeepers have been using this technique to protect timber hives (50 years +) and reduce the impact of disease
- Hanging-mechanisms: a range of hanging mechanisms are available depending on location and application, including stainless steel and galvanised steel “hook and eye” with stabiliser
For custom projects we design specific hanging mechanisms to ensure longevity of the boxes while the forest grows, including:
- mid-tensile 3.15mm wire
- custom design and manufacture
- wire is reclaimed off-cuts (determined as scrap steel)
- comprises a long wire fixed at the side and through the back-plate of the box and positioned around the tree trunk
- fixed to the opposite-side short-wire with a gripple
- each wire features a one-way expandable coil with the capacity to expand 400mm (as the tree grows)
- where wire is in contact with the tree, 10mm black poly irrigation pipe is used for grip and protection for wildlife and the tree
- 25mm green-line poly pipe is used to cover the wire coils at each side of the box for additional safety for wildlife
- both poly sections used are reclaimed offcuts (destined for landfill)
- black poly has a lifespan of 50+ years
- green-line poly lifespan 50-100 years
Hot wax-dipping and Ecolour Finishes
To protect the boxes for the long-term against the harsh Australian environment, and to assist in insulation and acoustics, we use a combination of hot-wax-dipping and Australian made, non toxic and zero VOC Ecolour finishes
Wildlife Safe Havens - Projects
Wildlife Safe Havens Project v1.0
Wildlife Safe Havens Project v1.0
Wildlife Safe Havens Project v1.0
In partnership with Brunswick Valley Landcare - 30 private landholdings across the Byron Shire were provided with a property visit, ecological health check in relation to the ability of the flora to support fauna and a habitat solution was installed appropriate to target species ranging from small, medium and large birds, mammals and reptiles. Landholders are provided with access to wildlife cameras for ongoing monitoring of their their properties and a formal hollow habitat inspection will be conducted within 12 months of installation. Funding for this project was through WIRES Bushfire recovery funding.
Wildlife Safe Havens Project v2.0
Wildlife Safe Havens Project v1.0
Wildlife Safe Havens Project v1.0
In partnership with Brunswick Valley Landcare a larger scale version of V1.0 will be rolled-out across the Shire in stages, commencing 2021, to support even more wildlife including threatened species. Watch this space for more updates.
Art-meets-Habitat fundraiser
Art-meets-Habitat fundraiser
Art-meets-Habitat fundraiser
Brunswick Valley Landcare has commissioned a range of leading artists to paint nest boxes. These will be available for sale to raise funds for the roll-out of Wildlife Safe Havens V2.0 across the Byron Shire, NSW.
This box, created by Mullumbimby artist Samantha Wortelhock, has sold for $3000. breakawayart.com.au
Wildbnb Team
Dave Brook
Harry Hackett
Gregor Nass
Dave is the custodian of Araluen, a special parcel of land at the headwaters of the Brunswick River and bordering the Mount Jerusalem National Park. Araluen is home to a range of threatened species of flora and fauna and includes the endangered Lowland Rainforest Ecological Community among its five distinct vegetation types. It is protect
Dave is the custodian of Araluen, a special parcel of land at the headwaters of the Brunswick River and bordering the Mount Jerusalem National Park. Araluen is home to a range of threatened species of flora and fauna and includes the endangered Lowland Rainforest Ecological Community among its five distinct vegetation types. It is protected by a Biodiversity Conservation Trust covenant, is a Land for Wildlife and Wildlife Lands Trust sanctuary, and looking after it has been a full-time project for the last 10 years. This experience prompted Dave and his friends to start Wildbnb and assist other landowners, and people everywhere, in their efforts to support Australia’s precious wildlife
Gregor Nass
Harry Hackett
Gregor Nass
Gregor has a deep understanding and appreciation of trees, having formally trained in Europe where he was involved in looking after trees that were 100's of years-old. He has Forestry, European Tree-worker and Tree Surveyor qualifications and has spent time in Russia and Poland working with beekeepers who rely on hollows carved directly i
Gregor has a deep understanding and appreciation of trees, having formally trained in Europe where he was involved in looking after trees that were 100's of years-old. He has Forestry, European Tree-worker and Tree Surveyor qualifications and has spent time in Russia and Poland working with beekeepers who rely on hollows carved directly into trees to keep their bees. Gregor rescues tree hollows and hand-crafts them into relevant habitat for a range of threatened species, is experienced at hollow augmentation - advancing a trees natural abilities to make hollows - and is an experienced climber installing Wildbnb's hollow habitat and nest boxes across the Northern Rivers.
Harry Hackett
Harry Hackett
Harry Hackett
Harry is a Producer and Project Manager with a background in the arts industry and was also a Manager of Community Land Assets (Mullumbimby Showground). Nicknamed Harry after Harry Butler, she is a self-confessed bird nerd and passionate advocate for our native wildlife as well as the systems supporting them. Harry develops Wildbnb's Habi
Harry is a Producer and Project Manager with a background in the arts industry and was also a Manager of Community Land Assets (Mullumbimby Showground). Nicknamed Harry after Harry Butler, she is a self-confessed bird nerd and passionate advocate for our native wildlife as well as the systems supporting them. Harry develops Wildbnb's Habitat and Threatened Species Projects, Customer Service and Partnerships.
Locky Cooper
Sachika Kinross-Rowe
Harry Hackett
Locky is passionate about birds, amphibians, habitat restoration and wildlife conservation and is completing a Bachelor in Environmental Science - majoring in Environmental Resource Management - at Southern Cross University. Locky is a WIRES volunteer wildlife rescuer and when he’s not caring for wildlife, or building them habitat, he’s p
Locky is passionate about birds, amphibians, habitat restoration and wildlife conservation and is completing a Bachelor in Environmental Science - majoring in Environmental Resource Management - at Southern Cross University. Locky is a WIRES volunteer wildlife rescuer and when he’s not caring for wildlife, or building them habitat, he’s photographing them. Locky heads-up the technology and wildlife monitoring capability at Wildbnb, ensuring that data is collected, analysed and disseminated for everything we do as part of a 'continuous improvement process' in supporting wildlife.
Pixofnature.com @pixofnature_by_lockycoop
Sachika Kinross-Rowe
Sachika Kinross-Rowe
Sachika Kinross-Rowe
Sachika created the name for Wildbnb and has been involved in the initiative since she was very young. She is currently studying Year 6 at Cape Byron Steiner School. Sachika has always had a love for animals and their welfare.
At her family home 'Woodlands', a precious diverse piece of protected land on the outskirts of Byron Bay, she car
Sachika created the name for Wildbnb and has been involved in the initiative since she was very young. She is currently studying Year 6 at Cape Byron Steiner School. Sachika has always had a love for animals and their welfare.
At her family home 'Woodlands', a precious diverse piece of protected land on the outskirts of Byron Bay, she cares for wildlife and is engaged in the forest’s conservation management.
Sachika reminds us why we do what we do and is Wildbnb’s Wildlife Custodian.
Chili Kinross-Rowe
Sachika Kinross-Rowe
Sachika Kinross-Rowe
Chili has a special interest in nature and the environment and has used a camera to tell a story from a very young age.
Chili is currently studying Year 10 at Mullumbimby Shearwater Steiner School. He has a love for the ocean, surfing and filmmaking. He is a good friend of Dave’s and assists him to share his vision.
Chili has been making
Chili has a special interest in nature and the environment and has used a camera to tell a story from a very young age.
Chili is currently studying Year 10 at Mullumbimby Shearwater Steiner School. He has a love for the ocean, surfing and filmmaking. He is a good friend of Dave’s and assists him to share his vision.
Chili has been making Nature Documentaries since he was 13 and continues to follow his passion for film, nature, and emotive storytelling. Chili is Wildbnb's Storyteller.
Keaonei Kinross-Rowe
Keaonei Kinross-Rowe
Keaonei Kinross-Rowe
Ke ao nei means the interconnectedness of nature - and this is truly where her heart lies. She connects deeply with nature and the ocean and is a Northern Rivers local.
Ke ao nei has been friends with Dave for over 10 years and they share many passions in common - first and foremost being the desire to help and save threatened species fo
Ke ao nei means the interconnectedness of nature - and this is truly where her heart lies. She connects deeply with nature and the ocean and is a Northern Rivers local.
Ke ao nei has been friends with Dave for over 10 years and they share many passions in common - first and foremost being the desire to help and save threatened species for future generations.
Keaonei is Wildbnb's Sounding-board.
Wildbnb aims to assist one million of Australia's precious fauna, reliant on tree hollows and impacted by bushfire, with a safe place to shelter, hunt, forage and reproduce while the forest recovers.