The nature strip, the verge garden, different names in different places, but the land between a private residence and the street is understood in the same way. A bridge between private and personal space, until recently it has been uncontested land. Yet according to an article by Adrian Marshall, nature strips account for one-third of public green space in Australian cities. Imagine if more of this land was approached more creatively. Less urban heat island effect, extra wildlife corridors, opportunities for biodiversity and shared food growing. Opportunities for connecting with our communities. I confess, I’m a keen nature strip garden advocate, tending a 30-square-metre garden myself, with help from neighbours. Around Australia, local governments are deciding which side of the fence they sit on nature strip gardens, as residents push…