The Squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis), Spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and Scarlet Robin (Petroicaboodang) are all listed as threatened species in NSW with some of the few surviving populations occurring within the Upper Lachlan region along the Abercrombie Corridor.
The Kanangra- Boyd to Wyangala Link (K2W for short) community conservation partnership has been awarded $200,000 for Petaurus Connections through the NSW Government Saving our Species (SoS) program and co-funded and supported by the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife to help secure these threatened species in the landscape.
Petaurus Connections will run over the next 2 years in the Upper Lachlan Shire focussing on the Crookwell reserves of Keverstone, Gillindich, Nuggetty, Burwood Creek and Razorback and incorporating the villages of Tuena and Bigga.
“This funding is a real boost to our conservation, research and restoration efforts in the region” says Mary Bonet, Coordinator of the Kanangra-Boyd to Wyangala (K2W) conservation partnership.
A reduction in the amount of habitat available and less well-connected landscapes has led to the Squirrel Glider, Spotted-tailed quoll and Scarlet Robin becoming listed as threatened species.
“If we do nothing to assist our glider, quoll and woodland bird populations their numbers will continue to fall and we will lose them from our landscape forever,” says Mary.
Named after the charismatic Squirrel Glider, Petaurus Connections will engage ecologists to work alongside Field Naturalists and community members to undertake a comprehensive study of the project area to understand the current population level and habitat condition.
“We are also putting the call out to the community for anyone with knowledge of these species in the Upper Lachlan area to get in touch with us to help with our study.” Says Mary
“Throughout the program we will be working with landholders offering training and incentives to enhance and protect habitat, manage pest and weeds, for fencing and revegetation works, and ongoing monitoring.’ Says Mary
“the work that we will undertake will not only benefit our target species but will also benefit a host of other species and improve biodiversity and productivity across the region.”
Petaurus Connections will host two launch events in the villages of Bigga and Tuena on 30/31 August 2019 which will be attended by threatened species experts, National Parks Rangers, Local wildlife champions and traditional custodiansand other members of our team.
“We are hoping to inspire the local community to join us and share their knowledge of the local area including native wildlife and pest species to help us better tailor our efforts.” Says Mary
Local landholders will have the opportunity to take home camera traps and install nest boxes on their properties and we will have information about our project funding and other opportunities for involvement over the project.
“We will also be inviting the community to join us for spotlighting in the evenings to see if we can locate our target species and to help inspire locals who are living in this important landscape to be more aware about what animals are out there and how to identify them and report any sightings.” Says Mary
To for more information and or to register for the launch events please visit our Eventbrite page http://k2wglideways.eventbrite.com/ or contact mary@k2wglideways.org.au
