Thanks to the Landcare Australia Community Grants Program, surveys will soon begin on the elusive Southern Greater Glider population in Taungurung Country, nestled within the western Strathbogie Ranges.
Alongside the surveys, custom-designed nestboxes to increase habitat in remnant forests will also be installed.
Led by the Strathbogie Ranges Conservation Management Network, ‘The Last Stand’ project came about after citizen scientists posted photos on the iNaturalist app of the gliders, as part of the Strathbogie Ranges Nature Atlas Project (SNAP,) in 2023.
These records sparked local concern on impacts of potential development on the area.
The endangered species has not been well-researched in this part of the Strathbogie Ranges, so the Strathbogies Responsible Renewables Community Group engaged local ecologist Bertram Lobert to undertake initial surveys.
Mr Lobert identified a sparse population of the Southern Greater Gliders in an area near Caveat and Highlands.
The area's history of logging and land clearing for agriculture has left many Eucalypt trees without the vital large hollows that Southern Greater Gliders and other species desperately need for nesting.
Without more hollows, these species are unable to move around to forage and breed.
Building upon efforts of landowners in the area to protect remnant native vegetation, ‘The Last Stand’ project funding will allow further action to be undertaken.
Night surveys are set to take place, with the aim of having involvement from local landholders and interested community members to encourage education on how to support the endangered species.
Specially designed nestboxes are to be built by a local Men’s Shed and installed in specific locations.
Guest speakers from other similar projects in South East Australia have also been invited to share their experiences of post Black Summer bushfire programs that targeted the Southern Greater Gliders in NSW and ACT.
Project representatives Mr Lobert and Sam Strong from the Strathbogie Ranges Conservation Management Network invite locals to join upcoming walks and talks.
Participants will learn to use the iNaturalist app for recording local wildlife.
Landholders in areas adjacent to documented sightings of Southern Greater Gliders will personally be invited to potentially host nest boxes.
These activities will kick off on April 11 and 12, with a guided walk and talk near Caveat from 7pm to about 10pm.
Those in the area are welcome to explore the habitat of the Southern Greater Gliders and even see the species firsthand.
Places are limited, and light refreshments will be provided on arrival.
Interested parties are invited to register their attendance by April 8 with Sam Strong at strongsamantha4460@gmail.com
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