That’s the simple message Strathallan Glider Sanctuary’s Veronica Groat hopes locals take home from the sanctuary’s annual wattle event.
Each year, the sanctuary gives away wattle plants to encourage residents to take part in protecting the vulnerable squirrel glider ― by providing a vital food source right in their own backyards.
“It’s something we do every year, to get people to think about the importance of the wattles along the river and around properties,” Ms Groat said.
“It’s an important food source for squirrel gliders.”
And while the sight of a wattle in full bloom might suggest the flowers themselves are the attraction, there is more to the story.
“The gliders like the blossoms, but really what they’re after is the insects that are attracted to the wattle,” Ms Groat said.
“Apparently, they eat their weight in insects annually.”
Fifty wattle plants were donated by McKindlay’s Riverine Nursery for this year’s giveaway, with Acacia salicina selected as a hardy variety suited to local soils.
Set up at the Bendigo Bank, the wattles and seeds are watched over by Gladice — a preserved squirrel glider who serves as the sanctuary’s beloved mascot.
“These little fellas live way up in the canopies of trees, and they don’t come out until night,” Ms Groat said.
“So it’s nice to see what they look like up close.”
Squirrel gliders were previously classified as endangered but are now listed as vulnerable.
For Ms Groat, the annual giveaway is about more than handing out trees.
It is about reminding people that threatened species are not some far-off conservation concern.
They can be living in the trees, waterways and bushland around their own homes.
Ms Groat said residents could make a real difference by protecting local habitat, steering clear of unnecessary tree removal and being mindful around nearby waterways.
“We can’t save everything,” she said.
“But we can still do a little bit in our own way.”
And for the squirrel glider, that little bit could be as simple as planting a wattle.
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