Strengthening Koala Habitat Through Community, Landcare & Environmental Education WIRES – TRLA – Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre (WNPEEC)
WIRES, WNPEEC and TRLA are partnering to protect koalas across north-western NSW. WNPEEC builds community knowledge through student and teacher environmental programs, while TRLA restores habitat using native plantings, watering systems and drone-based monitoring. WIRES provides wildlife expertise. Together, they improve koala habitat and strengthen long-term community capacity for conservation.
Capacity building - LLCTR-TRLA4
The issue
Koalas in the Tamworth, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains and Warrumbungle regions face major decline due to habitat loss, fragmented corridors, heat stress and drought reducing water availability. Many Schools lack knowledge and resources to restore habitat effectively, and limited monitoring data makes it difficult to target priority areas. Long-term environmental education is also needed so young people—future land managers and carers—can understand and protect koala ecosystems.
The solution
The project restores koala habitat through native plantings, corridor reconnection and arboreal watering systems that support wildlife in heat and drought. Schools students receive practical training on revegetation and water provision from WNPEEC and TRLA. The Warrumbungle Environmental Education Centre delivers curriculum-linked programs for students and teachers, strengthening ecological literacy and community engagement. Together, restoration, monitoring and education form a coordinated, community-led conservation model.
The impact
Over 45 hectares of koala habitat have been restored, supported by Tree Troffs that provide safe, elevated water. Drone monitoring has improved understanding of koala distribution. School students and teachers are more skilled and connected with ecologists, WIRES and Landcare. Thousands of students each year gain hands-on conservation knowledge, while teachers embed sustainability across schools. This builds long-term cultural change and fosters future landholders and carers committed to koala protection.
Key facts
- WIRES, WNPEEC and TRLA are working together to protect koalas through community education, habitat restoration and student environmental education. This partnership strengthens ecological knowledge, improves habitat quality and supports long-term regional koala conservation.