Increasing Koala Habitat
Planting koala feed trees on private property for increased habitat and connectivity
Community Participation - LP-009-045
The issue
Recently, the status of koalas has been changed from vulnerable to endangered, requiring our urgent attention. In New South Wales, we have an increased responsibility to make this a priority as we are fortunate enough to have some of the most genetic diversity in our koala population. In the Inverell district, land-use change is the most significant threat to koalas. Increasing the total area of protected, connected, quality koala habitat in priority areas is important. As koalas occur across different land tenures, notably private land, it is necessary to assist landholders in protecting and restoring habitat on their properties.
The solution
Gwymac in partnership with the Northern Tablelands LLS began the Cool Country Koala Project to assist in delivering on-ground actions to protect and restore priority koala habitat. The focus was on areas across the Northern Tablelands identified as Areas of Regional Koala Significance and affected by the 2019/2020 bushfires. A call out for expressions of interest to participate in the project was widely distributed through numerous media channels. Site visits were then conducted to ensure landholder proposals presented to the assessment panel, were appropriate to deliver positive outcomes. Successful landholders were engaged to plant seedlings of known koala food trees which covered a total of 18.3 ha of improved and protected koala habitat.
The impact
- 4870 Seedlings planted
- 475 metres of fencing erected to protect plantings
- 18.3 hectares of plantings / habitat protected
Videos created in partnership with the Northern Tablelands LLS
- https://youtu.be/0hG3qLkukjM - Tree planting for koala habitat
- https://youtu.be/01v1-s6utGg - Tree planting for koala habitat - on farm
- https://youtu.be/N8_KHICW5sA - Landcare's role in supporting landholders
This project has been important in improving and extending habitat for koalas in the Inverell area. This has been done by creating corridors of vegetation for connectivity, linking important habitat. Additionally, greater community engagement regarding this topic was gained.
Key facts
- 4870 Seedlings planted
- 475 metres of fencing erected to protect plantings
- 18.3 hectares of plantings / habitat protected
- Videos created in partnership with the Northern Tablelands LLS