Geographe Catchment Council

Project Profile

Issues

The Geographe Catchment Council (GeoCatch) project, Peppies for Possums began in response to significant community concerns raised with GeoCatch about the future of the Western Ringtail Possum (Ringtail) in the Busselton area. The Busselton Dunsborough area has the largest remaining Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) populations. Large scale community projects have resulted in major habitat plantings across the region.

Project Detail

The Geographe Catchment Council (GeoCatch) has been nominated for a National Landcare Award for its outstanding efforts encouraging community members to plant habitat trees for the Western Ringtail Possum.

The project, Peppies for Possums began in response to significant community concerns raised with the Geographe Catchment Council (GeoCatch) about the future of the Western Ringtail Possum (Ringtail) in the Busselton area.  The Busselton Dunsborough area has the largest remaining Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) populations.

Peppies for Possums was officially launched by GeoCatch, the Shire of Busselton, Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Minister for the Environment in October 2005. The launch was followed by “Ringtail Possum Workshops” that provided the community with the opportunity to raise their main concerns in regard to Ringtail conservation and to workshop ideas about how the wider community  could be involved with the conservation and long-term survival of this species.

A number of major works have been undertaken as part of the project including large on-ground projects to enhance and create habitat for the Ringtail in urban areas. In all, the Peppies for Possums project has seen some 9815 WA Peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) trees planted in Busselton and surrounds. The Peppermint is considered critical habitat for the Ringtail  as it provides up to 95% of the diet, and is where Ringtails nests called ‘dreys’ are found. In addition some 12,250 understorey plants have been planted to provide extra shelter and food. A further 5000 seedlings have planted on private property outside urban areas to enhance Ringtail habitat.

A Ringtail population and habitat survey in the Siesta Park and Kealy localities provides important information about the conservation of the species in the Shire of Busselton. The survey determined the distribution and habitat of Ringtails on private and public land between Busselton and Dunsborough and identified key areas of possum habitat and important corridor linkages.  This was followed up with a further study of 10 urban reserves within the Busselton town site. These documents are regarded as the most current and comprehensive studies of the Western Ringtail Possum in urban areas.

In addition to the wide range of community activities, the project founded and supported the Western Ringtail Action Group, which is made up of local community groups, government agencies, vets, local government, possum researchers as well as individuals from the wider community.

Geographe Catchment Council (GeoCatch) is one of 88 finalists in the National Landcare Awards to be announced in Canberra on 24 June 2010.  Commencing in 1991, the Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups that make a valuable contribution to the land and coast where they live and work.

Photography

GeoCatch