Fast disappearing

Not exactly a species local to the Flowerdale-Strath Creek area, but important to us nonetheless – this is the Leadbeater’s Possum, which has recently been listed as “Critically Endangered”, meaning it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Yes, we know we should start a blog post with an upbeat cheerful message, but there is unfortunately not a lot of positive news about this little creature, which incidentally happens to be one of Victoria’s faunal emblems (the other being the Helmeted Honeyeater which is also critically endangered!).
 
To highlight the plight of this little possum, we are holding a presentation titled “Flagship for the Forests” on Friday 26th June at Strath Creek Hall, starting at 7.30pm. The main speaker is Steve Meacher, President of Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum Inc. and Chair of Murrindindi Environment Advisory Committee. Steve will focus on the importance of Leadbeater’s Possum as a flagship species for the Mountain Ash forest ecosystem. He will be followed by local resident Trent Patten, a wildlife surveyor and relentless campaigner for protection of the possum, who will talk about the challenges involved and techniques used in recording evidence of colonies of Leadbeater’s.
 
All welcome – for full details click on the flyer at left.