Biolinks Alliance

Paul speaks about an exciting ecological restoration project being developed by the Alliance with the Taungurung people, Parks Victoria and the Heathcote community, the Spring Plains Watershed Repair project.   The project integrates a range of restoration techniques that, at least in central Victoria, have never before been combined at a landscape–scale to demonstrate how the health of bushland damaged by goldmining and timber cutting (amongst other things) can be quickly and cost effectively restored. This was originally presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance 2020 annual general meeting.

Understanding population trends relies on long-term monitoring, confident assumptions about detectability and accurate/reliable species ID. Established survey techniques and emerging technology are improving Squirrel Glider detectability. These promise to increase the number of records in atlases and improve our overall understanding of population dynamics. What are the key elements of improving our understanding of Squirrel Glider distribution, abundance and conservation status? Hear our expert panel of speakers discuss how to adequately design and implement surveys and monitoring for Squirrel Gliders Expert panel: Dylan McWhinney (DM Ecological and Albury Conservation Company) Dr Rodney Van Der Ree (University of Melbourne and WSP Australia) Associate Professor Ross Goldingay (Southern Cross University) Jerry Alexander (DELWP) Facilitated by Stuart Cowell (Conservation Management PTY LTD) Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

Restoring and reconnecting remnant habitat in highly fragmented agricultural landscapes where Squirrel Gliders persist is a key action to ensure their survival. This workshop will consider best practices for restoring landscapes for these species. Hear our expert panel of speakers discuss their approach to Squirrel Glider habitat health and restoration. Expert panel: PhD. candidate Erica Marshall (University of Melbourne) Dr Mason Crane (NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust) Gary Howling (Great Eastern Ranges Connectivity Conservation Initiative) Facilitated by Stuart Cowell (Conservation Management PTY LTD) Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

Gliders are an ideal flagship species to engage the broader community in meaningful conservation action. Use of cit sci atlases has flourished and the data informs public knowledge. How is it going to be used? Hear our expert panel of speakers discuss their approach to citizen science, community engagement and data quality for the Squirrel Glider species.   Expert panel: Lou Bull (Burrumbuttock Squirrel Glider LAMP) Dr Kylie Soanes (University of Melbourne) Mary Bonet (Glideways Kanangra-Boyd to Wyangala Link) Jess Lawton (Connecting Country) Peter Menkhorst (Arthur Rylah Institute DELWP) Facilitated by Stuart Cowell (Conservation Management PTY LTD) Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

Hear Associate Professor Ross Goldingay (Southern Cross University) and Dr Rodney van Der Ree (University of Melbourne & WSP Australia) answer audience questions about Squirrel Glider conservation. This expert panel discusses the use of nest boxes, chainsaw hollows, habitat connectivity and much more. Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

Hear Professor David Lindenmayer answer audience questions about Greater Glider and Squirrel Glider conservation. David Lindenmayer is a landscape ecologist and conservation biologist working at Australian National University. Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

Our expert panel discusses the current "State of Play" of Squirrel Gliders and asks the question "Where are we and where do we want to be in 10-20 years?"  They cover issues such as the impact of fire, climate change, forest conservation, the lessons from COVID-19, farmers as "eco-friends", the individuals involved in the "extinction rebellion", the suppression of science, current political framework and government intervention, as well as reviewing key new scientific insights and finally ecosystem restoration asking - "How do we make 2020-2030 the Decade of Ecosystem restoration?"    Expert panel: Dr Mason Crane NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust Dr Rodney van Der Ree University of Melbourne & WSP Australia Associate Professor Ross Goldingay Southern Cross University Jerry Alexander DELWP Facilitated by Gregg Borschmann Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

The team involved in the Great Eastern Ranges Glideways Program discuss the differences in glider populations across the Eastern Australia, from Central Victoria to the Sunshine Coast hinterland; the impact of the Black Summer fires; and how multiple projects across a number of regions amount to a bigger approach to glider conservation. Hear more about the experiences of Great Eastern Ranges partners involved in Glideways projects (past, present and future) and glider habitat conservation generally. Glideways is a program coordinated by the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative.  Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

While most Greater Glider habitat is on public land, private land provides strategic habitat connections in several landscapes. This workshop considers the importance of the role of permanent protection in assisting with the survival of this species. Hear our expert panel of speakers discuss their approach to the permanent protection of Greater Gliders. Expert leads: Matt Ruchel (Victorian National Parks Association) Chris Schuringa (GECO) James Fitzsimmons (The Nature Conservancy) Facilitated by Amelia Young (Wilderness Society) Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

Greater Glider populations have a disjunct distribution across their range largely due to habitat loss such as clearing, logging and fires, but also resulting from historic climate change that has left some populations isolated (eg. Wombat Forest, Strathbogie Ranges, South Gippsland). Climate change is impacting remnant habitats’ ability to support glider populations. Hear our expert panel of speakers discuss their approach to Greater Glider mitigation strategies. Expert leads: Dr Kara Youngentob (Australian National University) Associate Professor Craig Nitschke (University of Melbourne) Jemma Cripps (Arthur Rylah Institute DELWP) Matt Cecil (Wildlife preservation society of QLD) Facilitated by Dr Jenny Martin (University of Melbourne) Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

Greater Gliders have long been regarded as easily detectable, but recent development of improved survey protocols reveal this is not always so. Understanding population trends relies on long-term monitoring, confident assumptions about detectability and robust survey design. Hear our expert panel of speakers discuss how to adequately design and implement surveys and monitoring for Greater Gliders. Expert panel: Dr Kara Youngentob (Australian National University) Dr Louise Durkin (DELWP) Rena Gaborov (GECO) Bert Lobert (Strathbogie Ranges CMN) Facilitated by Dr Jenny Martin (University of Melbourne) Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

Hear Dr Kara Youngentob (Australian National University), Benjamin Wagner (University of Melbourne) and Associate Professor Craig Nitschke (University of Melbourne) answer audience questions about Greater Glider conservation. This expert panel discusses the impact of wildfire on Greater Glider habitat, climate change and its potential dietary impacts and much more.    Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).

Our expert panel discusses the current "State of Play" of Greater Gliders and asks the question "Where are we and where do we want to be in 10-20 years?" They cover issues such as the impact of fire, climate change, forest conservation, the lessons from COVID-19, the current political framework and government intervention, as well as reviewing key new scientific insights and finally ecosystem restoration asking - "How do we fund the environmental repair work of the future?" Expert panel: Professor David Lindenmayer (Australian National University) Ed Hill (GECO) Dr Teresa Eyre (Queensland Herbarium) Dr Jenny Nelson (Arthur Rylah Institute) Facilitated by Gregg Borschmann Presented as part of the Biolinks Alliance Greater and Squirrel Glider Symposium (October 2020).