Busy bees saving possums’ habitat

A South West environmental group is calling for volunteers to help revitalise a vital piece of habitat for one of WA’s most iconic critically endangered marsupials.

The Leschenault Catchment Council is calling for volunteers to help with the community busy bee event, planting trees and tidying up Barnes Avenue reserve, a vital habitat for the western ringtail possum.

Leschenault Catchment Council communications officer Nadia Howe said the event was a chance for community members to actively contribute to the preservation of local biodiversity.

“It’s a great opportunity to get outside and get your hands dirty and help restore the habitat of the possums,” she said.

The busy bee has been running since 2020, planting new trees and tidying up the vital ecosystem as part of a bigger plan for western ringtail possum conservation, Ms Howe said.

“The area has been marked as good possum habitat, possums have been found there, so we want to improve it because it’s one of the few spots these possums can go,” she said.

This year’s busy bee will focus on reviving the health of seedlings in the area, giving the saplings a much-needed water to help with the summer heat, removing weeds and tidying up the ecosystem.

The event will run on February 18 from 9am to 11am.

Register for the busy bee here or for more information visit the Leschenault Catchment Council’s website.