Changes in Logging Practices Put Glider in Hot Water

Logging operations have been halted in 14 forests in NSW due to a contentious dispute over safeguards for the greater glider, Australia’s largest gliding marsupial.

Following the devastating impact of the Black Summer bushfires, where over a third of their habitat was destroyed, the greater glider was classified as an endangered species. Despite this, the Forestry Corporation of the government continues to log in areas designated as glider habitats within state forests.

Conservationists have long criticized the corporation for inadequately searching for gliders and their dens. In a recent admission, the corporation disclosed that they had been searching for the nocturnal species during the daytime.

In response to these concerns, in February, the Environment Protection Authority implemented new guidelines mandating night-time spotlight searches, commencing no later than one hour after sunset. Research indicates that this timeframe is when gliders are most active, making it easier to identify and protect their den trees.

However, on May 27, the authority announced further changes after the Forestry Corporation raised concerns that their operations would suffer if strict sunset guidelines were enforced for all searches.

The watchdog clarified that the initial search of the night should commence soon after sunset, as per the shared understanding. This stipulation was not conveyed clearly in February.

“Without these modifications and clear instructions on search and survey protocols, FCNSW has warned that the current conditions will significantly impact the state’s timber supply,” stated the authority.

Conservationists are irate, arguing that if the Forestry Corporation conducts ten searches nightly, nine would essentially be ineffective.

“The EPA is prioritizing the interests of the logging industry over safeguarding an endangered species,” remarked ecologist Kita Ashman from WWF.

Critics, including long-serving environment minister Bob Debus, now chair of Wilderness Australia, have accused the authority and Forestry Corporation of making dubious agreements to sustain forestry operations.

“The challenge lies in finding timber deemed ideal for logging without encroaching on the habitat of numerous threatened species,” Debus stated. “Scientific evidence supports searching for gliders around dusk, as they are seldom seen at other times. Regardless of the EPA’s attempts to justify this, the reality remains unchanged.”

The Forestry Corporation expressed discontent with the additional change implemented on May 27 where any tree containing a glider must be shielded and surrounded by a 25-meter logging exclusion zone.

As a result of these sudden adjustments, the corporation has suspended 15 logging operations in 14 state forests, effective immediately.

“Due to the limited time for feedback on these alterations, we have not yet had sufficient opportunity to assess their repercussions.”