Project Update: Conservation in action! 42 Greater Gliders recorded

The Southern Greater Glider has experienced an estimated 80% population decline over the past two decades due to habitat loss, fragmentation, bushfires and climate-related impacts. North of Goulburn, the Wombeyan district, on the south-western edge of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, remains an important refuge for the species, making it a priority landscape for conservation action.

Recent spotlighting surveys conducted by project partners, volunteers and local landholders exceeded expectations, recording 42 gliders across five survey nights. The result confirms the significance of the area as a stronghold for the species and is helping guide future habitat restoration and monitoring efforts.

Led by the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, supported by FAME and coordinated locally by the K2W Link Partnership, the project brings together researchers, community volunteers and local landholders to reconnect fragmented habitat and create safer movement corridors for gliders across the landscape.

Community participation has been a highlight of the project, with 14 private properties now actively involved, providing the opportunity to link corridor restoration efforts across property boundaries across the district. Volunteers have supported spotlighting surveys, habitat assessments, restoration planning and community education activities, helping to build local capacity for long-term conservation.

The project is also using cutting-edge technology to support recovery efforts. Researchers have completed extensive LiDAR mapping across the Wombeyan region, analysing more than 10 million individual tree crowns to identify important habitat areas and priority wildlife corridors. This information will help target future restoration works where they can deliver the greatest benefit for gliders.