Two Brimbank women have been recognised for their efforts in bringing sugar gliders back from the brink of extinction in Organ Pipes National Park.
For their work, Kara Humphrey and Asha Bannon received an environment achievement award as part of Brimbank’s Australia Day celebrations.
In 1989, 13 sugar gliders were released into the park, but their numbers began to dwindle due to threatened habitat and isolation.
Two years ago, Ms Humphrey and Ms Bannon accepted a challenge from the Friends of Organ Pipes group to help boost numbers by monitoring the gliders’ health and habit.
They spearheaded a revegetation program along Jacksons Creek, replacing and installing new nesting boxes and planting black wattles as a food source.
Numbers in the park have steadily increased.
“Since we began monitoring the sugar glider nest boxes in the park, we have noticed a significant increase in the number of sugar gliders using the boxes,” Ms Humphrey said.
“Our first nest box inspection in 2011 turned up five individuals and our latest check turned up 26 individuals, including some juveniles.
‘‘The highest number of gliders recorded since we began the project was in October, 2012, where we saw 30 individuals. We believe that this is mainly due to an increase in the availability of boxes.”
The pair conduct tours, produce regular newsletters and have quadrupled the project’s volunteer numbers in the past two years.
“We hope that our work will ultimately improve not only our understanding of sugar-glider ecology and nest-box usage, but allow future generations to become educated on the importance of environmental protection,” Ms Humphrey said.
“Our passion for species protection and conservation has only grown since taking on the project.”
