2024-2025

Project Description

The threatened western ringtail possum (WRP) is confined to three strongholds in southwest Australia, where it is found in high densities in urban areas. As southwest Australia becomes drier, the possum’s range will likely shrink due to their reliance on leaf moisture, suggesting urban areas with watered gardens may act as climate refuges.

This project will undertake recovery, monitoring and awareness raising activities in urban and peri-urban areas of Albany to improve the trajectory of the species within one of its stronghold regions.

The project is a collaboration between South Coast NRM, Oyster Harbour Catchment Group, Torbay Catchment Group, City of Albany, Southern Aboriginal Corporation and the University of Western Australia.

 Key Objective

The key objective of the project is to directly contribute to western ringtail possum recovery within urban and peri-urban areas of Albany and increase community awareness and recovery action in regard to western ringtail possum conservation. Specific project objectives include:

  • Connecting habitats through urban greening,
  • Managing predators via responsible pet ownership,
  • Enhancing WRP nesting and providing drought-relieving water,
  • Developing a citizen science monitoring program for WRPs to determine changes in relative abundance,
  • Reducing WRP roadstrike within urban and peri-urban areas, and
  • Raising awareness for and increase community interest in western ringtail possum conservation.

Torbay Catchment Group will contribute to the project’s objectives and activities by delivering guided community spotlight events, possum nest box building workshops and communication materials to assist in raising awareness for the importance of western ringtail possum conservation and how the public can participate in recovery actions.

Project Location

The project boundary includes Albany and surrounds with a particular focus on urban and peri-urban areas of Albany City.

All project activities must occur within the project boundary (Map 1).

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