Nest Box Know-How

Join Central Tablelands Landcare and Mick Callan from Habitat Innovation and Management for a deep dive on all things nest-boxes. This is the second of our Biodiversity Booster workshop series, helping you gain the skills and knowledge to increase biodiversity on your patch.

We will begin with a theory session, with Mick demystifying the scientific evidence, and covering:

• Why use artificial habitat

• Types of artificial habitats

• Pros and cons of different types of artificial habitat, including various nestboxes, chainsaw carved hollows, hollowhog hollows and more.

Then you will have a chance to see these solutions in-action, with an onsite demonstration of optimum nest box installation and various artifical hollow types.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

The theory session will be indoors at CSU Foundation Room 1. We will then move to the Central Tablelands Landcare Nursery site within the old Bathurst Agricultural Research Station, an approximately 5 minute walk, or short drive away. The foundations room is an accessible venue. At the nursery we will be walking short distances on level ground with some rough surfaces. Please get in touch if you have any additional accessibility needs.

Who is this for?

This workshop is suitable for anyone with an interest in learning more about artificial habitat, including:

• Landcare members and volunteers

• Land managers with an interest in installing artificial habitat as part of conservation efforts

• Natural resource management professionals wanting to boost or refresh their knowledge

• Students with an interest in environmental science/conservation

There is an opportunity to tailor workshop content to suit interests of the group- there are questions at checkout to help guide this.

About the presenter

Mick is the Co-Director and Principal Ornithologist of Habitat Innovation and Management and is recognised as one of Australia’s leading experts in hollow dependent fauna. Mick is also one half of the technical design team who have developed the Habitat Modular Nest Boxes and Habitat Marsupial Dens.

Mick has specialist skills in ornithology and is a recipient of Birdlife Australia’s Gavin Jackson Memorial Prize for his academic achievements in ornithological studies, as well as his dedication to the field of ornithology. Additionally, Mick was the recipient of the Jo Ross Memorial Prize for his contribution to the environment of the Bathurst region.

Having worked in private consulting as well as with both State and Local Government agencies, Mick has a history of implementing award winning environmental projects including: “Racing to save the Mount Panorama Woodlands” and “Protecting and Connecting Bathurst Copper Butterfly Habitat”.

Mick completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) through Charles Sturt University, researching tree hollows and artificial habitat solutions for hollow obligate species which complement his Forestry, Management, and Ornithology qualifications. He continues to be an active researcher with a growing list of publications in scientific journals and has recently been appointed as an Adjunct Research Fellow with CSU.

This initiative has been supported by the NSW Government through the Landcare Enabling Program Phase 3 Innovations and Partnerships Grant Program.