Habitat kits help storm recovery

LtoR_Paul Nestbox Coordinator Woodend Mens Shed, MRSC Mayor Jennifer Anderson,Kevin President Woodend Mens Shed,Karen Muscat MRSC, Mark Lee DELWP.JPG

Many animals lost their homes when large swathes of trees were brought down in the June 2021 storm. In the Macedon Ranges, notable species that depend on tree hollows include brush-tailed phascogales, greater gliders, powerful owls, barking owls and feather-tailed gliders.

We are proud to launch our Habitat Kit program that saw 50 storm affected residents receive free habitat kits to help support storm recovery and restore our natural environment. Essential to this program was a collaboration with Woodend Men’s Shed, who designed and crafted habitat boxes from wood felled during the significant storm event in June 2021. Thanks also to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) for funding this project.

Each habitat kit recipient attended a free environmental workshop with local experts sharing knowledge about the flora and fauna of Macedon Ranges, revegetation techniques and how to install and monitor nest boxes. Each recipient received 2 nest boxes and some indigenous plant tube-stock for planting. Nest boxes have been designed and built by Woodend Men’s Shed using recycled storm timber.

To be eligible for a habitat kit, recipients had to:

  • Have experienced damage to trees or habitat on your property from the June storm
  • Attend a workshop on Saturday 28 May at the Woodend Community Centre 

Awardees were also provided an information kit including on local weed, plant and bird guides developed by Macedon Ranges Shire Council.