Trees planted just two years ago, as part of the koala corridor being planted throughout the Northern Rivers by Bangalow Koalas with collaboration from IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), have seen koala poo recorded among trees.
They are in the process of creating a koala corridor across the heavily fragmented landscape in the New South Wales Northern Rivers region. The corridor reconnects existing patches of koala habitat.
‘We have planted trees from Byron Bay and surrounds heading towards Tenterfield and up to the Queensland border in Tweed Shire,’ Linda Sparrow President of Bangalow Koalas, told The Echo.
‘We are currently planting in the Richmond Valley Council area in Bungawalbin, near Evans Head, Doonbah, and Myrtle Creek and heading down towards Grafton. That is the aim, to create a corridor that reaches down to Grafton if we can’
Together, IFAW and Bangalow Kolala have planted 22,365 trees since 2019 across six different properties which form part of the Bangalow Koalas Community Wildlife Corridor while Bangalow Koalas have planted over 270,000 trees overall since 2019.
‘We are trying to plant 500,000 trees by the end of 2025,’ explained Linda.
Stop cutting down trees
One of the properties in Bangalow had 4,040 trees planted in April 2021 and after just two years in the ground, has already been used by koalas. Koala scats were found on the property, which sits on the border of Byron Shire Council land, and there was also evidence of koala scratches on trees. Evidence of echidnas and native birds has also been recorded.
‘This is why we do this work. Seeing the presence of koalas on trees so young gives us hope that we can bring them back from the brink. But, for that to happen we need to stop cutting down the trees they call home,’ IFAW Wildlife Campaign Manager Josey Sharrad said.
‘Koalas are up against it – the places they call home are shrinking drastically as humans encroach on their habitat and extreme weather destroys what is left. While creating these safe corridors for koalas to roam is vital for their survival, we really need to protect what is left of their habitat now. This will ensure a future where koalas are seen beyond the gates of a zoo.’
IFAW and Bangalow Koalas have created 15.4 hectares of habitat in the Byron Shire area alone through tree planting projects – achieved with the help of 548 volunteers.
‘When you are up at the top of a hill and you’re looking at the different stages of all these plantings, you can see the connection. You can see the corridor. You just think, ‘it’s worth all the blood, sweat and tears, and we are making a real change for the future,’ said Linda.
Planting season
The main focus to create the koala corridor has been planting trees on private land.
‘Currently, we are in the middle of planting season,’ said Linda.
‘It started in March and runs through to approximately August. It depends on the conditions.
‘We have been pretty successful in such a short time and that is due to the support we are getting from landholders and community as well as Federal and State government, local councils and NGOs. That is what is keeping us going.’
If you are a property owner and are interested in getting involved in the koala corridor planting program you can contact Bangalow Koalas for further discussions and potentially get involved in planting for next year.
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