Boxes offer endangered possums refuge

A local business has partnered with Geographe Catchment Council to help preserve the western ringtail possum population, by offering free possum boxes to clients.

Arbor Guy kickstarted the project this week by installing two boxes in peppermint trees at Vasse Primary School on Tuesday.

Arbor Guy director Guy Badger and works manager Brett Moir visited the school and installed the possum boxes in front of an audience of students.

Geocatch project officer Jenelle Schult also attended and spoke to students about the importance of habitat preservation for the western ringtail possum.

“Busselton and Dunsborough have one of the last remaining populations of the western ringtail possum and numbers are in decline due to loss of habitat,” she said.

“We’ve got evidence they are here so its also about educating kids about the importance of possums and giving them a home too.”

Arbor Guy marketing manager Kate Badger said she initially approached Geocatch to offer funding to replant trees.

“We wanted to give back a bit to the environment as we really do love trees,” she said. “They didn't have anything at that stage but then a few months later came back with an alternative of installing possum boxes.”

Ms Schult said she attended a Western Ringtail Action Group meeting in Feburary where WRAG suggested contacting local arborists to install possum boxes.

“(Arbor Guy) asked how they can give back given the nature of their job and we put our minds together with their expertise in climbing trees to come up with the project,” she said.

Arbor Guy hopes the new partnership will help preserve possum populations and will supply free boxes to other business if they meet the criteria.