In 2018 Parklands participated in research into the distribution and use of wildlife nest boxes in Victoria by the Arthur Rylah Institute.

The research, led by Phoebe Macak, found that more than 10,000 nest boxes have been installed across Victoria by a range of individuals and organisations, with community environment groups instigating 72% of installations. The main objective for installing next boxes was to improve habitat for native hollow-dependent fauna.

In an article published in The Victorian Naturalist, Phoebe states that “thirty-three native mammal and bird species had been found to use the nest boxes. More than half of the nest boxes (65%) were monitored at least once per year. Monitoring data of sixty-five percent of programs was curated and stored, but analysis or publication of results was completed for only a few programs”. She found that nest box program design and data management could be improved to help determine and increase conservation benefits for fauna.

Parklands have mapped more than 1000 nestboxes installed for arboreal mammals in the local area, and offer a Community Nestbox Monitoring program in partnership with Wodonga Urban Landcare Network to monitor the use of these boxes. The data from this program is destined to contribute to the national database on the Atlas of Living Australia.

See more on this research here: https://www.ari.vic.gov.au/research/people-and-nature/use-of-nest-boxes-in-victoria

And if you would like to get involved in our Community Nestbox Monitoring program, please contact us at info@parklands-alburywodonga.org.au