Almost 100 people have donated just under $4000 to help build nest boxes for Squirrel Gliders in Thurgoona in 2017!
This has been made possible through ‘Edge Pledge’ a new and exciting not-for-profit crowd-funding platform devoted entirely to the conservation of native wildlife at risk of extinction.
Edge Pledge launched in August 2016, and Albury Conservation Company was honoured to be one of only 11 environmental partners across the nation involved in the launch.
Why us and why Squirrel Gliders?
Thurgoona / Wirlinga is home to one of the most significant populations of Squirrel Gliders in NSW. It is a listed threatened species, meaning that it is on the slippery slope to extinction. They are a gliding marsupial possum that rely on hollow trees as homes and glide safely 40 metres from tree to tree. Sadly, over 95% of it’s preferred habitat (Box Gum Woodland) has been lost, old hollow bearing trees are becoming as rare as hens teeth, and what habitat does remain is not well connected. To make matters worse, Thurgoona / Wirlinga is the designated urban growth corridor of Albury. The human population is expected to grow five-fold over the next 20-30 years, bringing an enormous challenge for the species to survive – housing and industry, vehicle traffic, noise, artificial light, foxes, cats, firewood removal. Albury Conservation Company is dedicated to ensuring that the Squirrel Glider population doesn’t slide into local extinction. We will continue to raise awareness in the community, protect and improve glider habitat, and monitor the species so that the community can intervene if things go pear-shaped.
How does Edge Pledge work?
- Become an Extinction Fighter for the Squirrel Glider by choosing three challenges, and completing the one that receives the most votes after 21 days. We had 7 ‘Extinction Fighters’ – Sam Niedra, Nigel Jones, Rob Fenton, Damian Michael, Ebony Bullock, Sera Blair, and Joseph Thomsen (ABC Goulburn Murray).
- Donate to an Extinction Fighter raising funds for the Squirrel Glider. In our 2016 campaign $3,853 was donated by 96 individuals.
Where will the money go?
100% of the funds we raised through Edge Pledge will be spent on building around 50 nest boxes to provide much needed homes for Squirrel Gliders in Thurgoona/Wirlinga. These will be built by Thurgoona Men’s Shed and installed during the first half of 2017. We will keep you posted about progress!
Give me proof that the challenges were completed?
DAMIAN MICHAEL – CHALLENGE – WALK ON MY HANDS FOR 60M, THIS IS THE MAXIMUM DISTANCE SQUIRREL GLIDERS ARE ABLE TO GLIDE BETWEEN TREES.
SAM NIEDRA – CHALLENGE – WRITE, RECORD & MAKE PUBLIC ONE SONG PER WEEK FOR 3 WEEKS (The person who makes the highest pledge gets to choose the topic of each song).
NIGEL JONES – CHALLENGE – SLEEP UP A GUM TREE IN THURGOONA
Nigel Jones sleeping in a gum tree in Thurgoona as part of his Edge Pledge challenge in 2016.
Nigel Jones’ support crew for his Edge Pledge challenge.
Nigel Jones sleeping in a gum tree in Thurgoona as part of his Edge Pledge challenge in 2016.
Nigel Jones sleeping in a tree as part of his Edge Pledge challenge.
Nigel Jones sleeping in a gum tree in Thurgoona as part of his Edge Pledge challenge in 2016.
Nigel Jones sleeping in a gum tree in Thurgoona as part of his Edge Pledge challenge in 2016.
ROB FENTON – CHALLENGE – DELIVER A WHOLE DAY OF LECTURES IN A SQUIRREL GLIDER ONESIE AT NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT CENTRE
Rob Fenton completing his Edge Pledge challenge, to wear a Squirrel Glider onesie hoisting groups all day during the National Environment Centre’s Organic Farm Open Day (Nov 2016)
If you missed out on the 2016 Edge Pledge campaign and would like to chip in some money to support conservation of Squirrel Gliders, you still can by clicking here.