September 7 is National Threatened Species Day

Eurobodalla Council will host a range of activities during September – including a greater glider spotlighting adventure – to celebrate National Threatened Species Day.

Held on Wednesday 7 September, the day aims to raise awareness of plants and animals at risk of extinction.

Council’s natural resources officer Natalie Foster said the national 2016 State of the Environment Report showed there were between 100 and 150 species listed as ‘Vulnerable’ or ‘Endangered’ in the Eurobodalla and Bega regions.

“Sadly this number is on an upward trend across NSW,” she said.

“Australia is home to more than 500,000 animal and plant species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Over the past 200 years, more than 100 animal and plant species have become extinct. The fires in 2019/2020 have undoubtedly added further stress to already threatened species.”

Eurobodalla Council works with other agencies and the community to reduce threats to native species, including feral pest and weed control programs, habitat restoration and protection, and threatened species monitoring and installation of nest boxes. It also runs environmental education programs. Natalie said the community could learn more about two of Eurobodalla’s threatened species this month – the grey-headed flying fox and the greater glider.

“We’ll be holding a greater glider spotlighting adventure in South Durras on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 September, where people can come along and learn more about these beautiful creatures and perhaps even spot a glider in its natural habitat,” she said.

“Numbers are strictly limited - please visit our website or phone us on 4474 7329 to find out more.”

Meanwhile, children can pick up a ‘Batpack’ of activities from their local library next week, and borrow a book about threatened species from the themed display.

Natalie also encouraged residents to become involved in species monitoring efforts across the shire, perhaps even focusing on a known threatened species.

“You can do this by uploading sightings to a citizen scientist App - such as the local Budawang Coast Nature Map platform at https://budawangcoast.naturemapr.org,” she said.

Council’s environment team has provided educational resources to local schools for National Threatened Species Day centred on an educational video about flying foxes. The video will be launched on Council’s Facebook page on Monday 7 September.