Australian Gliders conservation project receives endangered species recovery grant

As part of their Australian Endangered Species Recovery Grants, Conservation organisations WildArk, Aussie Ark and Global Wildlife Conservation, have awarded $16,000 to Native Mouse Ecological Consulting (NMEC) and Atkins Eco Contracting (AEC) for their project ‘Testing the post-fire resilience of the Yellow-bellied and Greater Glider in Far East Gippsland’.

The 2019-20 bushfires burned through large areas of Yellow-bellied and Great glider habitat and it is believed thousands of gliders may have perished in the aftermath. Lead Ecologist Dr Phoebe Burns and Dr Atkins’ research will identify how the species fared within the fire scar which will help land-management agencies to accurately assess the species status, and plan for the long-term conservation of this unique gliding marsupial. Their surveys are targeting remote areas of Far East Gippsland where surveys are critically needed.

Grant recipient Dr. Phoebe Burns of Native Mouse Ecological Consulting notes “this grant has helped fill a massive gap in funding for post-fire data on many species.

“The data we’ve already collected has helped contribute to state and federal bushfire elicitation and planning, making sure our projects have maximum impact!”

 The Australian Endangered Species Recovery Grant is part of the Koala Comeback Campaign and aims to provide funding for organisations carrying out research projects that quantify the bushfires’ impact on Australia’s threatened species and identify urgent needs that exist for wildlife living in fire-affected areas.

A further nine projects will be awarded grants of up to $16000 for their outcomes-based research that has measurable outcomes in the next 12 months. Much of this research includes species population surveys, protecting unburnt habitat, or implementing other critical interventions identified by species experts.

Thanks to generous donations, the #KoalaComeback campaign, a partnership between WildArk, Global Wildlife Conservation and David Yarrow Photography, has supported many organisations working on the frontlines bushfire recovery and habitat protection in the wake of the 2091-2020 bushfires.

Read more about the Australian Endangered Species Recovery Fund here.

Aussie Ark is a registered environmental organisation and charitable institution under the Australian Charity and Not-for-Profit Commission. Aussie Ark has deductible gift recipient status (DGR status) and is registered for GST purposes. More information at www.aussieark.org.au

Global Wildlife Conservation maximise our impact through scientific research, biodiversity exploration, habitat conservation, protected area management, wildlife crime prevention, endangered species recovery, and conservation leadership cultivation.  Learn more at globalwildlife.org

WildArk is a global not-for-profit conservation effort promoting and supporting activities that educate, enable, provide resources or inspire humanity to sustainably conserve, protect or restore the environment and the world’s ecosystems, natural resources, wildlife and wild places. Learn more at www.wildark.org.