On Thursday, May 7 the Wagin woodworking room at the school was alive with activity as 10 community members tested their carpentry skills.

Local woodworking enthusiast and redtailed phascogale supporter Arthur Kershaw ran the classes in Wagin and Katanning.

The workshops are a result of trapping and community sighting data proving that while there is some foraging and good quality sheoak habitat there is a lack of old eucalypt hollows.

Megan Stone of Wildlife Research and Management spoke to the gropus on the value of building and placing nestboxes.

“Building and placing these nestboxes is working towards ensuring the strong population we have in Wagin for future generations,” Ms Stone said.

Wagin Woodanilling Landcare Zone manager Danielle Perrie said they were grateful to Mr Kershaw who first constructed the nestboxes.

“We have learnt heaps about the species and also made modifications along the way to maximise the use of the boxes,” Ms Perrie said.

“We are also proud to say that Arthur has designed the boxes to be constructed out of almost 100 per cent recycled materials.

“The classes were designed to make it as easy as possible using mainly handheld tools so anyone can build one in the home shed and we now have blue print copies available at the office and would be happy to hold another workshop at any time.”

To find out more or place expressions of interest for another workshop contact the Wagin Woodanilling Landcare Zone on 9861 2222.