Video, interviews and stills here: https://dams.wwf.org.au/resourcespace?c=6402&k=e9ab39314b
Specially designed nest boxes are providing new hope for endangered greater gliders in the Victorian Central Highlands after an alarming population decline in the region.
Greater gliders need multiple tree hollows to survive but these cavities in a trunk or branch can take over 100 years to form.
Only about 1% of the remaining Mountain Ash forest in the Central Highlands is old growth, the rest is often highly degraded. Hollow-bearing trees are in short supply because of logging and bushfires.
So artificial greater glider homes are being installed at sites across Toolangi, Yarra and Powelltown to help the species repopulate degraded areas.
While these sites escaped the recent bushfires in Victoria, other areas of greater glider habitat were damaged, putting the species under additional pressure. Projects like this hope to boost populations.
The project is a partnership between the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia and the Australian National University, with funding support from global tech company HP Inc.
Dozens have already been screwed into place. In total, 166 will be mounted over the next few months. Compared to older designs, the ANU nest boxes are warmer in winter and cooler in summer because of insulation, air gaps, fireproof sealer and heat reflective paint.
Dr Kara Youngentob, ANU senior research fellow and project lead, said:
We have a lot of forests that have lost hollow bearing trees because of logging and fire. There are trees that greater gliders can eat, but there's no place for them to sleep. It's kind of like having a bed and breakfast without the bed. So we need to bring the beds back into the forest to try to bring the gliders back and we're doing that with the help of nest boxes.
Dr Kita Ashman, a WWF conservation scientist, has seen firsthand the impact of logging on the species. She said:
We returned to a site in Tallaganda State Forest after logging and there was one tree left in this entire area of forest. And I watched a glider come out and not have anywhere to go. To see an endangered species come out of a tree hollow and just stare into the distance because there's nothing left, that's devastating, that's gut wrenching.
But I am really hopeful that collaborations like this, and the amazing work that so many people are doing, can turn the tide for greater gliders.
A trial of the ANU nest box design began in Tallaganda State Forest and National Park in 2022. Greater gliders rapidly moved into the artificial homes. ANU scientists are studying whether nest boxes boost population recovery following the 2019/2020 megafires. Early indications are that greater glider numbers are increasing since the 2019/2022 fires, especially at sites augmented with nest boxes.
ANU research fellow Dr Ana Gracanin has high hopes for the impact of the next boxes and even installed some in Toolangi State Forest. Dr Gracanin said:
This is a large project with sites across the Central Highlands, restoring many hectares of habitat. We've targeted areas with not many hollows or none at all, but we know there are greater gliders nearby. We want to see them move in and raise babies.
Katherine Best is monitoring the project as part of her PhD at ANU. She said:
Greater gliders are unique. Gliding as a function has only evolved in a small number of species worldwide. They used to be all throughout the Central Highlands. We're hoping we'll boost their population by providing nest boxes and show that it is a scalable, financially viable solution. There are large areas of forests that need urgent restoration work.
Olivia West, HP Inc. sustainability manager, said:
Our partnership with WWF isn't just about forests, it's about the future we all share. Healthy forests give us clean air, protect biodiversity, and help fight climate change. At HP, we believe technology and sustainability go hand in hand, innovation should serve people and the planet. Supporting nature has no downsides; it creates benefits that ripple across communities and generations. Being part of this work is truly meaningful because it's about making a lasting difference for both the environment and society.
Help from interstate
The greater glider nest boxes were constructed at Hall Men's Shed in Canberra, Yass Men's Shed in the NSW Southern Tablelands, and Woodchix in Sydney.
Carpenters of all skill levels are joining forces to help the recovery of an endangered species that many didn't know existed. In the process, participants are enhancing their wellbeing through strengthened social connections, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose.
Gill Enterkin, Founder of Woodchix, said:
We've had dozens and dozens and dozens of women from all over Sydney volunteer to do the greater glider nest boxes and they've had a terrific time.
I saw a photo of a greater glider family in the bottom of a nest box looking up, and they were gorgeous. That says everything. That's why I'm here. That's why we're doing it. That's why every woman who volunteered here came to do it.
Doug Anstess, Foreman of the Hall Men's Shed said:
Some fellows come along meek and mild to start with, but after a few months, they start to talk, they start to get interested, and it gives them a purpose in life. And that's what a men's shed is about.
We hadn't heard of the greater glider. It wasn't until we started looking at the research documents that we realized "oh gee, these greater gliders are something else. We better do a good job".
Peter Davidson, President of the Yass Valley Men's Shed said:
Men's sheds were first thought of in Australia, and now they're a worldwide movement. A lot of guys might be lonely because they've lost their wife or partner. It's a way of finding support.
By building nest boxes we feel we're contributing to a very worthwhile research project. Hopefully it's something that distributed at scale helps greater gliders which are fascinating creatures. It also focuses on the importance of forests.
