Did you know?When their limbs are extended Squirrel Gliders can travel distances of up to 50 metres

Squirrel Gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) are a mid-sized nocturnal gliding possum and may be mistaken for the Sugar Glider (Petaurus beviceps). However, Squirrel Gliders are larger and have a much bushier tail. They use a gliding membrane that extends from the fifth front toe to the back of their foot on both sides.Within the Riverina region, Squirrel Gliders prefer open forests and woodlands especially box-ironbark and riparian woodlands. They live in cup-shaped, leaf-lined nests in tree hollows (dens), sleeping in these during the day and emerging at night to hunt for food. Habitat fragmentation has contributed to their decline in the Riverina region and their subsequent listing as Endangered. Large gaps between trees and patches of vegetation affect the movement of gliders across the landscape, interrupting their breeding and feeding activities. When squirrel glider habitat is in poor condition they are at greater risk of predation. While squirrel gliders have natural predators in owls and goannas, introduced predators such as foxes and feral cats can have a devastating impact.

What activities can we fund? Funding is available for:1. Establishing individual paddock trees - Establishing

paddock trees on your farm can not only provide futureshade and shelter for livestock but also provide futurehabitat for wildlife. Funding will be provided towardsthe costs of materials for individual tree guards and thepurchase of new plants. A minimum of 10 paddock treesand a maximum of 20 paddock trees will be funded peragreement

2. Planting small clusters of paddock trees - Establishingsmall clumps of native vegetation on your farm canhelp provide future stepping stones for wildlife whilstimproving the natural assets of your farm. Fundingwill be provided towards the costs of standard fencingmaterials, site preparation and the purchase of newplants on sites on sites that are a minimum of 1ha and amaximum of 3ha. Sites must be a minimum of 20m wide

3. Protecting existing paddock trees - the most costeffective means of retaining paddock trees in thelandscape and will help to extend their life and habitatvalues. Funding will be provided towards the costs ofstandard fencing materials, site preparation and thepurchase of new plants to minimise livestock damageand allow natural regeneration. Individual sites must bea minimum of 0.4ha ie 20m x 20m

Saving our Squirrel GlidersPhoto: Peter Merritt

4. Replacement of barbed wire with plain wire (top) - to reduce mortality rates of Squirrel Gliders getting caught on barbed wire fences as they move through the landscape

www.lls.nsw.gov.au/riverina

Want to know more?Allie Hendy | Senior Land Services Officer Riverina Local Land Services6923 6364 or 0427 662 811 allie.hendy@lls.nsw.gov.au

This project has been assisted by funding through Catchment Action NSW and the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.

How can you help?

Eligibility to apply• All previous works funded by Riverina Local Land Services or Catchment Management Authority must be completed • You must be willing to enter into an agreement with Riverina Local Land Services for 10 years • You must have no outstanding debts to Local Land Services • Your property needs to reside in the Riverina Local Land Services region and within the project area (see map below) • You must have public liability insurance for a minimum of $10 million to be considered for funding • Works will need to be completed by 30th December 2020

What are the next steps? • Funding is limited and project proposals need to be received by the 30 August 2019• Landholders must submit an Expression Of Interest via www.lls.nsw.gov.au/riverina• Once an EOI has been submitted, a Riverina Local Land Services officer will contact you to discuss your project and the

project proposal form.

Project AreaThe project area (see right) spreads between South of Wagga east to Kyeamba and Tarcutta

There are several ways you can help to improve foraging and nesting sites: • Retain existing vegetation on your property,

especially hollow-bearing trees • Revegetate areas with a mixture of native

species to allow for hollow-bearing and feed trees in the future

• Allow natural regeneration to occur • Retain paddock trees on your property - they

act as great stop-over points between sparse vegetation

• Add shrub and understory layers to existing vegetation where appropriate

• Install Squirrel Glider specific nest boxes if you don’t have hollow-bearing trees.

Try planting some or all of the following species to create a year-round food source (see table on right):