If you have wandered along the Holgate Road foreshore in Broadwater recently you may have noticed a series of bright and eye-catching educational signs packed with facts about the Nguraren (Western Ringtail Possum), and tips on how you can help this critically endangered species.
The signs are secured on recycled jetty timber posts and you can also spot two possum boxes, a safe place for possums in the area to make their home in. Around the foreshore area you can see native trees growing that have been planted by the community during past GeoCatch tree planting events in recent years, creating much-needed habitat for the Western Ringtail Possum.
GeoCatch project officer, Nicole Lincoln, who coordinated the project said she is very happy with the result. “The signage looks fantastic and will be there for years to come, educating passers-by on the plight of the Western Ringtail Possum and importantly, how the community can get involved and support efforts to ensure the survival of this critically endangered marsupial.”
It was a team effort getting the signage from conception to installation using local businesses Total Horticultural Services and The Box. This project was supported by funding from the State Natural Resource Management Program, the City of Busselton, Busselton Water and delivered by GeoCatch.
Declared critically endangered in 2017, the Western Ringtail Possum is particularly vulnerable when navigating roads and backyards in urban areas, especially if they run into domestic dogs and cats.
The Ringtail Tally starts on 1 April!
You can play your own part in protecting this marsupial by joining GeoCatch’s annual Ringtail Tally coming up on Wednesday 1 April. The citizen science project, in its eleventh year, will span four weeks until the 2nd May and anyone can be involved in collecting data. There is a new online form option to record your tallying, and the hard copy data sheet is still available too.
The Ringtail Tally plays a vital role in improving understanding and awareness of possums living in urban areas. The data collected helps track population trends, informs future planning decisions, and guides conservation efforts across the region. Since the Tally started in 2016, it has expanded beyond the original Geographe Catchment area. Nature Conservation Margaret River, Leschenault Catchment Council, Oyster Harbour Catchment Group and Wirambi Landcare now run the project with their local communities making it a truly regional event.
Everyone who participates in the Tally will enter the draw to win a hand-made possum box by the Busselton Men’s Shed, which can be installed in backyards to create a home for a possum to move into.
To register and take part in the 2026 Ringtail Tally, visit geocatch.asn.au or scan the QR code below!
