Nambour Men’s Shed builds homes for wildlife

A group of handy locals are helping native animals find safe new homes, with the Nambour Men’s Shed launching a new program to make and supply wildlife nest boxes for the community.

Dr Zafer Sarac, one of the men involved in the initiative, said the idea grew naturally from the group’s passion for woodworking and conservation. “We would like to see that those who are involved in habitat restoration know about this initiative, with the hope that they will take advantage of it,” he said.

“The Nambour Men’s Shed has been making nest boxes for native mammals and birds for a while now. Generally, we put a few of them in our shop for sale. A few of the Shed’s members participate in the Council’s Land for Wildlife program. As a result, we started to pay more attention to wildlife nest boxes.”

The group now produces a wide range of nest boxes for native species — from small birds and bats to possums and other pouched mammals — using salvaged timber, plywood and even natural tree hollows.

“We sell these boxes for a nominal fee as we generally use salvaged plywood, timber or tree branches,” Dr Sarac said.

“If somebody provides us with the material, we only charge a small amount for the labour.” The Shed also welcomes anyone who would like to learn how to make their own boxes, either at home or using the group’s facilities.

“We can also teach how to make the boxes so people can make them at their place or at the Men’s Shed,” Dr Sarac said. “However, to use Men’s Shed facilities one has to join as a member.”

The group is also keen to collaborate on local habitat restoration projects through programs such as Land for Wildlife and Landcare.

• Nambour Men’s Shed has been serving the community since 2011. Find them at 8 Colless Lane, Nambour, Monday to Friday 8am–noon. Phone 0452 145 698 or email info@nambourmensshed.com.au.

Nambour Men’s Shed members from left, Dr Zafer Sarac, Alan McDonald and Richard Simmons with some of their handcrafted wildlife nest boxes, part of a new program supporting local habitat restoration.