Natural tree hollows take over 100 years to form naturally and provide shelter, breeding and nesting habitats for almost 350 Australian wildlife species. Living trees moderate temperature and humidity, making hollows cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather. Loss of habitat has a dramatic impact on many native animals and old growth trees containing natural hollows have become rare in our urban environment. Wildlife boxes can supplement available resources and help provide much-needed shelter to animals that need them to breed and care for their young.

As part of our Green Adelaide ‘Urban Wildlife Project’ the Planet Protectors have organised 10 wildlife boxes to be installed at our school. The boxes were supplied by Faunature, Mr Frank glued, nailed and screwed them together and we worked after school to paint the boxes. Our boxes will support parrots, brushtail possums and microbats.

These wildlife boxes are now hanging in the trees around our school yard – next to Peppertree, on the side of Jacaranda, through Haslop and behind Cedars. These boxes will join the existing City of Unley network of 185 wildlife boxes situated through the streets and parks. The boxes will be inspected for animal use annually in Spring and Autumn, with recent surveys indicating 95% of the Unley boxes support indigenous fauna.

As they become available, details of the fauna reports from our wildlife boxes will be shared with the school community and we will continue our focus to improve the sustainability and environmental outcomes at our school.

And finally … last week we supported the Save Our Wildlife Foundation (SOWFI) to rehome two juvenile ring-tailed possums rescued nearby on Rugby Street. We welcome PUFF and CANDY to their new home in the tree canopy outside our school office.