Koala Conservation with Koala Konversations
Bringing Community and Leading Experts Together for Koala Conservation
Community Participation - LEP23-024-4-007
The issue
Koala populations face habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, bushfires, disease, declining genetic diversity, vehicle strike and dog attacks. These threats contribute to population decline, with koalas now listed as ‘endangered’. There is also a lack of community knowledge about conservation efforts to protect and support sparse and genetically unique local koalas.
How do we increase knowledge and celebrate contributions to local Koala conservation? The Northern Tablelands Koala Partnership, established in 2021 and hosted by Southern New England Landcare, provides a Koala Conservation Project Officer who coordinates the partnership so that it is informed by community and scientific expertise.
The solution
From educational events to novel research with project collaborators, the partnership delivers initiatives that increase understanding and protect koalas. It engages landholders in on-ground remnant protection and revegetation projects, and gives community members opportunities to hear from leading experts in a light-hearted and fun way.
One such event, Koala Konversations, was held at a local, popular brewery on a Thursday night after work. The event offered specially crafted Koala Beer (sales contributed to raising funds for local wildlife carers) with koala stickers as coasters, and pizza for participants, while engaging them with great speakers, quizzes and prizes.
Speakers included John Lemon on the ongoing decline of koalas, Tim Scanlon on the importance of habitat restoration, and Romane Cristescu on cutting-edge ecological survey technology with her koala detection dog 'Bear'. Carolyn Hogg spoke on the genetic significance of Northern NSW koalas, and their high levels of genetic diversity, crucial for long-term survival.
The impact
The Koala Konversations event attracted 120 people and was an overwhelming success. Feedback included, 'Keep up the good work', 'Great stuff', 'Lovely evening with lots of great info. Thanks' and 'Would love to see more events like this.'
The passion and commitment of our community continues to make a real difference. Community members appreciated:
- the informal and meaningful nature of the event with expert insights
- the fun activities that deepened their understanding
- having their commitment to conservation affirmed.
The Northern Tablelands Koala Partnership is one of nine regional partnerships under the NSW Koala Strategy.
Key facts
- Funds raised at the event paid for two additional wildlife rescuers on a specialist koala rehabilitation course.
- Community members can contribute to the survival of Koalas by reporting sightings.