25 November 2025
Dark skies, quiet paddocks, and the soft glow of red-light torches have become a familiar sight in the Northern Grampians area this spring, as community members joined Project Platypus for a series of night-time squirrel glider surveys. These evening adventures are part science, part wildlife-watching, and part community spirit. All of these elements then come together to yield remarkable results.
Armed with thermal scopes and gentle red-light torches, groups of up to five volunteers have been setting out each week to scan treetops and roadside vegetation for the agile silhouettes of squirrel gliders. What began as a new monitoring initiative has quickly become one of the project’s most popular activities, with 36 volunteers joining the effort so far.
The payoff has been huge as the community has helped map 16 new active locations between Stawell and Dadswells Bridge. These findings suggest the local squirrel glider population is relatively healthy, which gives us hope that we can make meaningful steps to help Squirrel Gliders into the future.
Beyond the excitement of spotting gliders mid-glide or foraging high in the canopy, each survey contributes valuable data to the Tail of the Squirrel Glider project’s broader conservation goals. The new locations identified by volunteers are now being incorporated into habitat mapping, helping the team pinpoint priority areas for protection, revegetation, and the creation of new biolinks.
“These surveys are doing exactly what we hoped, by bringing people together, building local knowledge, and giving us real evidence to guide our next steps,” said Project Coordinator Phoebe Nowell-Usticke. “It’s been incredible to see the community so engaged and so thrilled to be part of the science.”
Night surveys will continue into 2026, with new survey nights and volunteer opportunities. Whether spotting their first glider or contributing to long-term conservation outcomes, volunteers have helped shine a light on this elusive and special species. Their efforts are shaping the next phase of habitat restoration and ensuring squirrel gliders have the connected landscapes they need to thrive.
To stay informed and get involved in future surveys and project events, visit our Facebook page.
Phoebe Nowell-Usticke
Squirrel Glider Project Officer