These form part of the work of Forest Keegel, the current artist-in-residence of the City of Greater Bendigo’s Art in the Conservatory program.

Ms Keegel said she wanted to use MOUND: Leaf and Twig Conservatorium to draw attention to the importance of plentiful leaf litter and plant material for the survival of such species as the bush-stone curlew and the Malleefowl, both of which are endangered.

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She said she wanted people to realise such plant material was not rubbish, but a vital resource and something that would form part of the soil in the future.

Visitors can draw or create rubbings of the plant matter, study it, or add native leaves and twigs cleaned up from their own properties to the mound.

“I chose to make it an exploratory art lab, so other people can get involved,” Ms Keegel said.

The soundscapes playing in the conservatory are the work of Ms Keegel’s friend, Amanda King.

At the end of the project, the leaf matter will be donated to the local Save Our Bush Stone-Curlews project, which runs a breeding and release program, as well as habitat regeneration.

Ms Keegel has a history of exploring the native environment through her work, explaining that for her it not only satisfies a personal interest, but she feels art has a role to play in conveying information and messages, and in doing good.

“It gives me a sense of purpose, and I find it fascinating, too,” she said.

Ms Keegel has also consulted with members of the Dja Dja Wurrung community on the project.

The conservatory will be open on Mondays, 5-6pm; Wednesdays, 11am-3pm; Fridays, 4-6pm; Saturdays, 2-6pm; and Sundays, 11am-3pm, until November 5.