Habitat pods are temporary refuges that provide shelter from heat, weather and predators. They enable the immediate survival of species and support their short-term adaptation to the burnt environment.

Pods will degrade over time and will be useful for up to 18 weeks depending on weather conditions. They are most useful for small mammals (e.g. antechinus, dunnarts), reptiles (e.g. skinks, geckos) and ground-dwelling invertebrates.

Habitat pods are supplements, not replacements, for natural refuges.

Where safe to do so, retaining burnt trees, fallen and hollow logs and other post-fire timber will support biodiversity recovery.

Protecting unburnt refuges from grazing and disturbance, and exclusion or control of stock and feral herbivores from areas recovering after fire, will also support biodiversity recovery.

Place pods strategically, rather than aiming for blanket coverage

• Place pods in areas where:
  • introduced predators are being controlled
  • understorey vegetation, woody debris and ground cover has been burned
  • within 100 m of existing natural refuges (rocks, logs, unburnt patches)
  • where target species are known to occur

• Place pods in tight clusters of 3-4
• Clusters of pods can be deployed as ‘stepping stones’ between isolated unburned patches
• Partially embed pods into the soil or leaf litter to manage temperature
• Monitor pods for use and for introduced predator activity; remove them if activity persists

• Areas with high fox or feral cat activity or where no introduced predator control occurs
• Areas where intact refuges (logs, rocks, dense unburnt patches) are already abundant
• Very exposed, large and open areas of bare ground with no nearby cover within 100m
• Places near road or track edges, fence lines or other routes that predators regularly use
• Ridges or highly exposed slopes subject to high winds
• Do not use food, bait or scent lures inside pods