Citizen Science Workshop: Monitoring Possums Around Albany!

Citizen Science Workshop: Monitoring Possums Around Albany!

📅 Date: 28 September 2024
⏰ Time: 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
📍 Location: Retravision Stadium, followed by a walk at Mount Clarence/Mount Adelaide

🐾 Workshop Overview:

Are you passionate about wildlife and eager to contribute to conservation efforts? Do you like heading out after dark? As part of a new project Climate-Resilient Conservation of Urban Western Ringtail Possum Populations, join us for a hands-on workshop designed for citizen scientists to learn how to monitor western ringtail possum populations and support local wildlife research. Your monitoring efforts in this project will play a crucial role in understanding and protecting these remarkable creatures. 

🌿 What You’ll Learn:

• Introduction to Possum Ecology: Understand the local western ringtail possum species, their habitats, behaviours, and conservation needs.
• Monitoring Method: Learn the spotlight monitoring method for observing possums along transects as part of this project.
• Data Collection & Reporting: Discover how to accurately record data and submit findings to support conservation efforts.
  
• Safety and Ethical Guidelines: Learn how to safely and ethically monitor wildlife.
• Citizen Science Impact: Explore how your contributions will aid in broader conservation research and community science initiatives.

We will be learning about the method indoors and then heading out to a field site around Albany to put what you've learnt into practice.

🔍 Who Should Attend:

• Nature enthusiasts
• Amateur and experienced scientists
• Environmental advocates
• Community members interested in wildlife conservation

🎓 Why Participate?

• Hands-On Training: Gain practical skills and experience in wildlife monitoring.
• Expert Instruction: Learn from conservation professionals and experienced field scientists.
• Contribute to Science: Your data will directly support important research and conservation projects.
• Join a Community: Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about making a difference.

📞 Contact Us:

For more information, please contact Emma at emma@southcoastnrm.com.au

🌟 Don’t miss this opportunity to make a significant impact on wildlife conservation. Join us for this exciting project and become a part of the solution!

About the western ringtail possum monitoring program

What? We are looking for citizen scientists to undertake bi-annual possum spotlight monitoring in 5 key urban bushland remnants around Albany.

Why? The aim of the monitoring is to establish a baseline of relative abundance and distribution of western ringtail possums in these locations to compare the population before and after implementation of conservation strategies undertaken during the project.

Where? Key bushland sites within 10 km of Albany city centre: Mt Clarence/Mt Adelaide, Mt Melville, Menang, Greatrex Rd Reserve and Bayonet Head. Volunteers will be divided amongst the locations.

When? Bi-annually, with the monitoring run over a maximum 4-night period in Spring 2024, Autumn 2025, Spring 2025 and Autumn 2026. Volunteers can help for between one and all of these seasons.

How? This is what we will teach you in this workshop. Observers slowly walk along pre-defined transects at night with head torches, scanning both sides of the transect and the transect itself for western ringtail possums and recording any sightings on the field data sheet.

Will this suit me? Citizen scientists will need to have a moderate level of fitness and be comfortable walking in the bush at night. Our transects won't always stick to the trails!

The workshop is hosted by South Coast NRM as part of a broader project to conserve the critically endangered western ringtail possum population around Albany.

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government Saving Native Species Program