The importance of conservation projects being funded on private land cannot be underestimated.
Mt Toolebewong & District Landcare Group members initiated a Leadbeater's Possum Survey and Nest Box Installation Project in 2019, after attending a Faunal Emblems information day at Healesville Sanctuary provided by DELWP. Although we knew this endangered species was present on the adjoining mountains of Ben Cairn and Donna Buang, and we suspected we had suitable habitat, there was no proof of their presence. We had several years before installed two home-made nest boxes on two properties close to the Yarra Ranges National Park, but had not detected any use by this species.
A $5,000 grant from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) in June 2019 and subsequent discussions with Parks Victoria, lead to further talks with researchers at Healesville Sanctuary (a member of our group). We also received information about a credible sighting on a property on the western slope of Mt Toolebewong in Autumn 2019, and a suspected sighting beside the main road along the mountain.
After Parks Victoria provided vegetation maps of the area, researchers from Zoos Victoria spent a week visiting members' properties to find suitable habitat for the possums, and trees for the placement of survey cameras and nest boxes. Their research permit allowed for wildlife bait stations to be placed opposite the cameras on four properties from March to April in 2020. Our efforts were rewarded with photos of three Leadbeater's Possums at three different locations.
Covid restrictions in 2020 halted any installation of the ten nest boxes we had purchased with our Faunal Emblems grant funds, but in March 2021 we finally were able to put them up on four properties. Some of the boxes will be monitored with cameras for the next six months to record any occupation, and our monitoring via dusk box watching and spotlighting nearby will take place as a members' activity over the next few years.
The proof of Leadbeater's Possum presence on Mt Toolebewong, which is mostly private land, is a unique opportunity for our members to contribute significantly to the protection of this endangered species, has encouraged some to apply for Trust For Nature covenants, and seek other funding to control weeds and improve biodiversity.
For example, our members, Moora Moora Co-operative, armed with the knowledge of Leadbeater's Possum on their land, subsequently applied to the Port Philip & Westernport CMA in late 2020 for funds from the Faunal Emblems grants, and received $5,000 to commence Holly removal and replacement with indigenous species suitable for Leadbeater's Possum. A two week long working bee named "Happy Holly Daze" in took place in January 2021. Moora Moora members worked with contractors from Eco Repair to control Holly from the north and south ends of their infestation, working towards the middle section, thus protecting the least affected areas first. It was difficult to quantify how many Hollies were removed as many were small and some bushy yet deer eaten, but the four person contractor team for eight days made a great impact, assisted by co-op and landcare members. Further funding will be sought for ongoing control as the infestation is extensive and will require on-ground action for many years. "Happy Holly Daze" is now a regular school holiday event.
With our project's nest boxes now installed, we look forward to engaging with more members during the monitoring phase, and making contact with non-members who may have suitable habitat nearby.
This has been a wonderful collaboration initiated by our members and it has strengthened our relationship with DELWP, Parks Victoria, the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA), Trust for Nature and Zoos Victoria.