RIVERLAND West residents are being encouraged to take part in a citizen science project which aims to discover more about and enhance the livelihood of a native possum species.
Mid Murray and Riverland West Landcare offices are looking to discover more about the western pygmy possum through a citizen science project, in which nest boxes will be installed on properties with the landholders’ permission.
Riverland West Landcare project officer Karen Bishop said no particular areas have been earmarked for the boxes, but ideally they would be on properties with scrub or bushland.
“Bushland or remnant vegetation provides the best habitat for the possums,” she said.
“As this is part of a citizen science project being led by Aimee Linke of Mid Murray Landcare, she will make an initial site visit and meet with the landholders. If they are keen to do their own surveys, she will show them how.”
Western pygmy possums have been known to occur widely from the coast to north of the River Murray, with their habitats encompassing a variety of woodlands with herb and shrub understory.
Ms Bishop said some details the creatures are still relatively unknown, including exactly where in the Murraylands they occur today.
“The aim (of the project) is to initially locate where the possums are living and then work on ways to enhance their survival in respect to climate changes that will potentially impact on their habitat into the future,” she said.
“This project involves installing nest boxes in bushland in the Mid Murray region on private properties and conservation reserves.
“At a later stage, the SA Museum may collect a small ear clip for genetic analysis, which will be analysed to survey genetic diversity and population structure across the range of the possum.
“Camera traps will also be set up at some sites to monitor activity.
“As always, if we as a community can help in any way to help a species survive and thrive, it can only be a good thing.”
To take part in the project and install a nest box on your property, contact Karen Bishop on 0429 049 309. For more information on the project, contact Aimee Linke on 0427 590 344.