Scheduled for Sunday, 20 October at Iris Moore Lookout and Picnic Area in Anna Bay the celebration features a range of activities, workshops and stalls suitable for families and people of all ages.

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“Our theme, ‘Connecting beach, bush and your backyard’, highlights the important role our homes and gardens can play in providing wildlife connections between our national parks and reserves, as well as how we connect with our beaches,” said Sue Olsson, coordinator of the Friends of Tomaree National Park.

“So many native Tomaree plants encourage native wildlife, such as birds, bees, butterflies, beetles and bugs, and are suitable for your garden.

“Visit the EcoPollinators stall to see the plants you can easily grow and the range of wildlife they support, and the nearby stall selling these and other Tomaree plants,” she said.

At the picnic, adults and kids can make insect hotels and bird boxes to encourage wildlife connections.

Friends of Tomaree National Park co-coordinator Josephine O’Brien has been working with the Port Stephens Woodworkers to facilitate easy-make insect hotels, children’s wildlife boxes, and boxes for White-throated Treecreepers and Eastern Rosellas.

“Often we don’t realise that with a little extra thought, our gardens can be great homes for wildlife and assist with park and reserve connections,” Josephine said.

“We are delighted Port Stephens Packaging is sponsoring the wildlife homes so they’re at a very low cost to participants.”

You can also see a native bee hive in action and find out what’s in a frog hotel, as well as explore other kinds of wildlife homes.

Kids can fashion clay animals or make handprints with park rangers, and join the Sea Shelter team for fun activities relating to the care of marine life.

Attendees can also participate in planting coastal native plants with the Friends of Tomaree National Park and Anna Bay Landcare.

The National Parks Association’s John Simpson will lead a guided post-burn walk over the Fishermans Bay headland to highlight what is, and what’s not, recovering from the hot January fire this year.

EcoNetwork Port Stephens’ little nature quiz and activity colouring booklet will also be on offer to keep the kids interested.

For more information visit the EcoNetwork Port Stephens website.