People power to protect pygmy possums in Mayo
Posted March 04, 2020
Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has secured $20,000 to protect and boost the population of the endangered Western Pygmy Possum in Mayo.
Photograph: Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has secured $20,000 to protect and boost the population of the endangered Western Pygmy Possum in Mayo. Pictured courtesy Adelaide and Mount Lofty Natural Resource Management Board.
The funding is being provided through the Federal Government's Environment Restoration Fund thanks to the advocacy of the Centre Alliance MP and her colleagues Senators Stirling Griff and Rex Patrick.
The funding will enable Conservation Volunteers Australia to partner with the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Natural Resource Management Board to roll-out a community Citizen Science Project on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The project will engage local community volunteers to learn about Pygmy Possum conservation and participate in practical monitoring and conservation.
“Pygmy possums are a threatened species within our region, and play an important role within the ecosystem, serving as pollinators,” Rebekha said this week.
“We don’t know enough about this special species on the Fleurieu to help them to thrive, with only 97 observations recorded on Australia’s Living Atlas between 1920 and 2017.
“This grant will help Conservation Volunteers Australia provide refuges and nesting boxes for the possums as well as engaging the community to fill in the knowledge gap through citizen science monitoring, and practical conservation.
“No matter where you live in Mayo, the environment is always a top concern that is raised with me, so I am excited by this opportunity to support our community-led environment projects.”
Conservation Volunteers Australia’s Manager for South Australia and the Northern Territory, Darren Kennedy, said the funding boost was great news for volunteers and the Pygmy Possum.
“Western Pygmy possums capture public attention, making them an excellent flagship species to promote biodiversity values, threats and conservation on the Fleurieu Peninsula,” Mr Kennedy said.
“Private landholders on the Fleurieu Peninsula are already contacting Conservation Volunteers to be involved in this exciting project to protect threatened species.”
Photograph: Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, left, with Corey Jackson, NRM Coastal Conservation Officer, Wendy White from the Normanville Natural Resource Centre, Yankalilla Council Community Outreach Program officer Julianne Rilstone, Yankalilla Team Leader Community Development Claire Taylor, Normanville Natural Resource Centre Chairman Matt Robertson and Darren Kennedy from SA/NT Manager, Conservation Volunteers Australia.