Moree Koala Habitat Enhancement Project
Moree Koala Habitat Enhancement Project
An exciting project to engage the local landholders to restore koala habitat and water availability for the local koala population.
Community Participation -
LP023-001
The issue
Moree is situated in Northern New South Wales. It is located on the banks of the Mehi River and is known for its koala population.
Northern Slopes Landcare Association were approached by Department of Planning, Industry & Environment as part of the Saving our Species Program to work with Moree Landholders to improve koala habitat and community awareness.
Previous surveys and studies conducted in the Moree area by Ecologist Phil Spark identified that Tiger Pear and African Box Thorn are widespread in the core koala habitat, they often grow around the base of trees, restricting access for koalas. Tiger Pear thorns have also been known to embed in koalas paws causing pain and preventing them from climbing.
The solution
The projects aim was to engage local landholders and community members to raise awareness in the community and identify landholders where koalas and threatening processes (Tiger Pear & African Box Thorn) have been discovered on their property.
A community workshop was held in Moree attended by local landholders and community members. The workshop included educational talks from the Saving our Species Program John Turbill, Phil Spark (ecologist) as well as local Council weeds officer Ian Schwartz and and North West Cacti Control Coordinator Jo-Anna Skewes. Information included actions that can be taken to enhance koalas habitat including watering points, weed control and identifying sick koalas.
Participating landholders are being supported to control Tiger Pear and African Box Thorn on their properties with a contract spray operation being undertaken.
The project also delivered an awareness guide called "Planting Native Vegetation for Koalas in Moree".
The impact
The community awareness for the local koala population has increased. The severity of the drought increased koala sightings as they were looking for water. As well as the control of weeds in the koala habitat, landholders were also educated in the need for watering points for koalas.
After hearing about this project Port Macquarie Koala Hospital kindly donated 4 koala drinkers which were installed on 4 properties known to have high koala sightings. These are monitored by the landholders and also have cameras attached.
Key facts
- Community awareness and education is important for the long term survival of the koala population.
- Landholders are being supported to control Tiger Pear and African Box Thorn through a contract spray program.
- Development and publication of "Planting Native Vegetation for Koalas in Moree" guide.