Married a week ago to Cowra podiatrist, Kate Stonestreet, Gavenlock says they enjoyed “a sensational honeymoon on Daydream Island but also wanted to fit in some environmental work whilst still on leave.”

“Australian native wildlife is my passion. I work as an arborist (tree surgeon) but I would much prefer to be up trees saving wildlife,”  Gavenlock said.

With training in cabinet making, Gavenlock has made the nest boxes out of marine grade plywood.

Gavenlock is working closely with the Mid Lachlan Landcare Group on a Squirrel Glider conservation project.

“Gliders are the close cousins of possums and are important for controlling insect pests that contribute to eucalypt dieback,” he said.

“Through the project we located an important squirrel glider habitat near Cowra,” said Landcare Coordinator, Tracee Burke.

“We are now about to investigate where other squirrel gliders may be located,” she said.

With the help of Jason Gavenlock and his abseiling ropes, Mid Lachlan Landcare is installing 30 boxes in tall trees along the Lachlan River near Darbys Falls and Wyangala Dam and also at Gooloogong, Cargo and Canowindra.

“We know large, mature or dead eucalypt trees with hollows are essential habitat for squirrel gliders,” Ms Burke said.

“At the moment we don’t think there are enough hollows to enable the species to move comfortably through our landscape.

“With the help of snake eye cameras and our monitoring program we will find out if we are right,” she said.

It’s a very exciting time for Cowra locals who care about their squirrel glider population.

Mid Lachlan Landcare is in the process of including local school students and the Cowra Men’s Shed in a nest box building program.

If you are interested in helping Mid Lachlan Landcare, Tracee Burke can be contacted on 04177989425.