Endangered bandicoot seeks refuge in your backyard
The endangered eastern barred bandicoot population is set to benefit from a range of habitat-friendly garden designs with the launch of NRM North’s Urban Refuges: Design your garden for eastern barred bandicoots booklet.
Choose from one of five garden designs to suit your space, from small to large, informal to formal.
The booklet is a resource that has been developed as part of a larger $1.7 million project funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program that is focussed on protecting and improving habitat for this threatened species in northern Tasmania.
The bandicoot population stronghold is in farmland and semi-rural areas, especially those that offer a mosaic of grassland, woodland, and pasture, where patches of vegetation with healthy understorey is vital as a daytime retreat or provides a quick escape from predators.
NRM North’s Biodiversity Coordinator Stephen Izzard, who oversees the project, explained the idea of smart garden designs for small and large backyards in urban and peri-urban environments can provide new habitat for the species.
“Local residents can be involved in the conservation of eastern barred bandicoot and other wildlife in their own backyards, providing suitable habitats for them to forage, raise young, and seek refuge,” said Mr Izzard.
The series of professionally designed gardens is aimed at enabling backyard gardeners, professional landscapers, and developers alike to create their own patch of habitat for bandicoots and other native wildlife, regardless of property size or taste in garden style.
Since 2019, the project has been working with rural property owners in the West Tamar region and parts of the Meander Valley and Northern Midlands to protect and create vital habitat for the endangered species. The Urban Refuges project aims to improve habitat within Riverside, Legana, Perth, Longford, Hadspen, Carrick and Exeter, however the landscape designs and concepts can be applied anywhere.
Mr Izzard said efforts to improve numbers in more populated areas is encouraging.
“It’s really exciting to be able to offer this opportunity to those living closer to town and to make a real difference to a species living alongside humans by providing a safe environment for them.”
“It’s really exciting to be able to offer this opportunity to those living closer to town and to make a real difference to a species living alongside humans by providing a safe environment for them.”
Once living throughout eastern Australia, wild eastern barred bandicoot populations now only exist in Tasmania. Landscape Designer Karen Johnson has drafted a series of unique designs utilising local native plants to encourage urban strongholds for the endangered marsupial.
“This booklet helps gardeners provide the perfect habitat for eastern barred bandicoots in their backyard, whether they want a formal garden design, a relaxed bushland setting, or one designed for entertaining,” said Ms Johnson.
The designs were officially launched by Federal Member for Bass, Bridget Archer at an event this morning at Windsor Community Precinct, where bandicoot refuge planting is underway.
As well as detailed information about eastern barred bandicoots, the booklet contains species conservation advice and native gardening tips. The booklet is available in hardcopy or downloadable from the NRM North website.
Residents in target townships and suburbs who are interested in getting involved in the project are encouraged to get in touch - contact us.
Click to find out more and download the booklet please visit: Urban Refuges: Design your garden for eastern barred bandicoots
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For enquiries contact NRM North Communications Coordinator Ashleigh Walker on 03 6333 7777 or awalker@nrmnorth.org.au.