Learn outdoors with new biodiversity checklists

Do you know what lives at the bottom of your garden? Are you a keen twitcher? Or are you just fascinated about the abundance of critters and vegetation in our natural areas? Become a citizen scientist with our handy biodiversity checklists, designed to help you to identify unique flora and fauna species.

The City of Joondalup and its surrounds contain a wide variety of plants and animals which are endemic to our region, meaning that they are native to and call this area home. They live in our bushland, wetland and coastal areas, and can occasionally be spotted in the suburbs. Native plants and animals play an essential role in the health of our ecosystem, and they also provide broader benefits to our own health and wellbeing by doing so.

Learning more about these native species can help us to better understand how our sustainable activities in the home, garden, school or workplace can help to ensure their future protection.

• Budding bird spotters will now find it easier than ever to look for different bird species in the backyard or nearby bushland by using our Bird Spotting Checklist.
• Orchids are intriguing. Despite their striking colours and patterns, they can be difficult to spot in their natural environment, where they partner with fungi and pollinators in a biodiversity cycle. Learn how to differentiate these beautiful species from other wildflowers with our Native Orchid Checklist.
• Fungi are wonderfully weird. Did you know that they are genetically closer to humans and other animals then to plants? Discover which microscopic mycelium species have been uncovered so far in the region with our handy Fungi Checklist.
• Intriguing invertebrates are the tiny unsung heroes of our gardens. Find out which of these critters are crawling, flying or sliding amongst your plants with our Backyard Minibeasts Checklist.
• From the tiniest organisms to the mightiest! Find out which native tree species can be found across our suburbs and which of them you might want to plant in your garden, thanks to our new Native Tree Checklist.

So, the next time you are busy in the garden or enjoying a mindful walk through our natural bushland, wetland or foreshore areas, why not take a biodiversity checklist with you – you might be surprised at what you can find!