Wild Houses is for architects, builders, developers, landscape designers, manufacturers and arborists who want a simple, credible way to fund shelter for wildlife alongside the projects they deliver.

Tree hollows are essential shelter for wildlife.

More than 300 native species in Australia rely on tree hollows for nesting, roosting or raising young, including:

• 114 species of native birds

• 83 species of native mammals, such as bats, possums and gliders

• 79 species of reptiles and 27 species of amphibians

When hollow-bearing trees are lost, that shelter disappears instantly, while replacement can take decades or longer.

A one-to-one pledge.

For every unit of work you complete, you fund a house for wildlife.

The unit is flexible and chosen by you.

Not yet. Several partners have asked whether nest boxes can be installed directly on residential properties they've completed, and it's something we're actively exploring. The conservation group model - where ecologists assess sites, engage landowners, and install boxes in clusters on larger properties - is what makes Wild Houses ecologically rigorous and operationally manageable right now. Residential installs introduce different logistics, costs and ecological considerations. We're working through what a credible version of that could look like. Stay tuned.

At end of financial year, based on what you actually delivered.

You only pay for what you actually deliver. If you pledged on 50 projects and delivered 38, you fund 38 Wild Houses. No penalty for falling short.

Yes. Pledges can start at any point in the year. You reconcile at EOFY based on projects delivered from your pledge start date.

Pledges for FY 2025-26 were tax-deductible through a registered conservation partner. From FY 2026-27, pledges will likely be treated as a business expense rather than being tax-deductible. We'll confirm the final structure before EOFY 2027.

As Wild Houses is designed primarily for architects, designers, builders and developers, pledges are typically claimable as a business expense regardless of deductibility status. Businesses should confirm with their accountant.

No complex contracts. Pledging is a public commitment, tracked against your projects and reconciled at EOFY. You're listed as a partner from the moment you pledge.

For FY 25-26, funds went directly to a registered non-profit partner, set aside specifically for Wild Houses.

For FY 26-27, we're finalising the structure - funds may be received directly to manage supplier relationships and deployment timing more closely. We'll confirm before EOFY 2027.

Wild Houses will track and report:

• how many houses are funded

• what type they are

• when they are delivered

Impact will be reported once houses have been funded and delivered, with updates shared periodically and summarised at key points such as end of financial year.

Wild Houses works with non-profit conservation partners to identify and prioritise projects. At the end of each financial year, once pledges are reconciled and the total number of Wild Houses is confirmed, locations are identified and deployment is planned.

Local conservation groups then guide the specifics: which species are most in need, what type of houses are appropriate, and exactly where and how they're installed. These decisions are made in consultation with landowners and ecologists.

The priority is always the same: greatest ecological impact, in the right place, for the right species.

Yes, requests can be submitted.

Wild Houses may work with:

• conservation groups and non-profits seeking support for a specific project

• land managers or organisations with identified habitat needs

• businesses that want to fund houses for wildlife as part of a specific project or site

All requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis, guided by ecological advice, available funding and overall program priorities.

Yes. Each Wild House is numbered and geolocated. You can share that information with your clients to show the tangible outcome of your project.

We are starting with nest boxes.

Future additions may include native bee hotels, insect hotels, ReHabitat pods and artificial hollows.

Yes, once your pledge has been fulfilled and funding delivered.

Verified partners are listed publicly.

Yes.

Businesses funding above certain thresholds will be offered additional engagement opportunities such as facilitated workshops or team experiences.

More details to come.

No.

Wild Houses are not a direct offset for biodiversity or habitat loss. They support net biodiversity gain by providing shelter where it’s missing and contributing to recovery alongside other conservation actions, including global goals like 30 x 30.

No.

Wild Houses operates year-round.

Disaster response is one mode, not the whole purpose.

Pledges are made in good faith. If circumstances change, contact us directly and we'll work it out.

Yes.

While Wild Houses is designed primarily for businesses in the built environment, individuals are welcome to pledge one or multiple Wild Houses at any time of the year.

Some people choose to fund a house for wildlife:

• as a personal commitment

• on behalf of a completed home or renovation

• or simply because they want to support wildlife recovery

Individual pledges support the same outcomes, with funds going to an on-the-ground-partner and houses delivered where shelter is needed.

Wild Houses was founded by Marnie Hawson, a former environmental scientist turned photographer working with architects, builders, developers, landscape designers, manufacturers and arborists across Australia.

Through her photography practice, she focuses exclusively on sustainable architecture, green infrastructure and regenerative landscapes - projects that tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and deliver housing that’s good for people and planet.

Marnie is a Certified B Corp, carbon neutral, and a 1% for the Planet member. Her second venture, Business of Biodiversity, helps built environment businesses take practical action for nature beyond carbon.

Wild Houses brings these strands together - linking housing, accountability and biodiversity through measurable action.

P.S. Fun fact: Marnie has a zoology honours degree studying sexually transmitted diseases in birds.

Wild Houses was started to address a simple gap: while the housing industry is very good at counting the homes it builds for people, it has fewer ways to account for the shelter wildlife loses along the way.

Working closely with architects, builders and developers, Marnie saw firsthand how housing shapes land, habitat and outcomes for nature.

Wild Houses grew from a straightforward idea: if houses for people can be counted, houses for wildlife can be counted too - making responsibility for shelter practical, measurable and shared.