In November, GER and regional partner Kanangra-Boyd to Wyangala (K2W) partnered with DARWIN200 – a global initiative to empower the planet’s top 200 young conservationists.

Over the past 18 months, DARWIN200 has been retracing the steps of Charles Darwin’ famous journey on the HMS Beagle aboard the historic ship Oosterschelde. While docked in Sydney, GER and K2W hosted National Geographic Young Explorer Brigitta, one of the talented Darwin Leaders, who took part in a research project as part of our Glideways program in the K2W Link.

Brigitta’s research was focused on southern greater gliders and how working with the community to connect and protect their core habitats and manage key threats is crucial for their survival. The partnership was also an opportunity to highlight the plight of Australia’s gliding possums and promote the importance of connectivity conservation to an international audience.

Brigitta took part in a range of activities during her five-day field trip. This included meeting a yellow-bellied glider at Taronga Zoo, learning about traditional fire management at Maiyingu Marragu, conducting glider thermal drone surveys at Wombeyan Caves and helping to install nest boxes. She also joined high school students to help plant trees and shrubs to form a wildlife corridor on regenerative agriculturalist Garry Cadwell’s land with funding from DARWIN200.

We are pleased to release episode 1 of Bridging the Gaps. The first in a series of three project videos that Brigitta and British videographer Josh produced about their work with us.