GER’s Kanangra-Boyd to Wyangala partnership is calling on landholders to take part in a ‘bioblitz’ to record the wildlife on their properties using cameras and audio recorders.

The wildlife survey, which aims to identify as many species as possible over a four-week period, is being funded through GER’s partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Australia.

During the blitz, video cameras and AudioMoths – a small acoustic monitoring device that captures both audible sounds as well as those in the ultrasonic range – will be installed on private properties to monitor resident wildlife, including squirrel gliders, microbats and powerful owls.

The surveys will assist biodiversity researchers with monitoring the health of the landscape and help identify what native wildlife and or pest animal species are present in the K2W corridor.

“The K2W corridor is home to some of the most elusive Australian species, and we hope to record those animals that usually shy away from human interaction,” said project officer Mary Bonet.

“The collaboration with citizen scientists is truly invaluable to K2W’s conservation efforts.”

“We will use the data to inform our restoration efforts by making sure that there’s still sufficient quality habitat around for our native wildlife,” she said.

The idea stems from similar citizen scientist projects that have been successful in identifying native and feral animals on private properties, such as the National Parks Association of NSW’s, Who’s Living on My Land’ surveys.

K2W hopes that the bioblitz will assist in identifying threatened species on private land in the region as well as bolster the involvement of landholders in conservation activities.