Help restore pygmy possum habitat

Volunteers are needed for a planting day to benefit the mouse-sized Western pygmy possum – the one with the big eyes and ears that comes out at night to feed on nectar and pollen.

The Friends of Newland Head Conservation Park have organised the planting day at Waitpinga on Sunday, 7 July.

The park is one of four where Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges (AMLR) staff have placed nesting boxes for the pocket-sized possums.

Natural Resources AMLR Volunteer Support Officer Rachel Godoy said volunteers would help plant about 500 seedlings of native species to improve the possums’ habitat.

“They can also go on a guided walk with a member of the Friends group, learn about the nesting box monitoring project from ecologist Dr Elisa Sparrow and talk with park ranger Seiji Iwao,” she said.

“Even a few hours of help will make a huge difference to the restoration project. Tools, equipment and lunch are provided, so people just need to dress for the weather and bring a water bottle.”

It’s not known how many Western pygmy possums remain in the region, but they are classified as vulnerable because of habitat loss, a lack of food and predation by larger animals.

The little marsupial weighs from just a few grams to around 20g. It is nocturnal and feeds mostly on nectar and pollen from plants such as bottlebrushes, grevillea and banksias.

The planting day is on Sunday, 7 July, from 10am to 1pm. Bookings are essential via Eventbrite.