Things are getting scary for koalas as their habitat is reduced daily, but communities are getting together to monitor local koala populations for the purpose of conservation.
Richmond Landcare recently held and event ‘Where Are Our Koalas?’ which brought together community members from
Repentance Creek and The Channon for a day exploring koala ecology and monitoring.
Guest presenters on the day were Amanda Lane from Biolink Ecological Consultants and Maria Matthes from Healing History, to guide participants through identifying koalas and their habitat, recording data on their presence and spotting signs of illness.
Community plays a crucial role
Koala Project Officer at Richmond Landcare, Lily Fraser, says community members play a crucial role in koala conservation. As the eyes and ears on the ground, they have the opportunity to closely observe their local koalas and notice potential illness or declines in population. ‘Whether you’re a landowner or simply a concerned local, improving your knowledge of koalas, their habitat, and how to monitor them is one of the most powerful ways the community can help.’
Everyone can get involved in koala conservation by noting signs of koala activity—such as scratches, scats, or bellows—and sharing this information through the ISpyKoala app, a NSW government app that is being used to inform research and planning about koalas and their habitats.
Community members can also help identify koalas in need of care and report sick or injured koalas to Friends of the Koala rescue hotline on 6622 1233.
Spot Assessment Technique
If you want to know if there is a Koala on your property, the most effective way is through a SAT (Spot Assessment Technique) survey. Developed by North Coast local Dr Steven Phillips, this straightforward approach involves systematically searching for koala scats (droppings) around trees. Your data gathered from SAT surveys can also be uploaded to ISpyKoala.
The Koala Connect project is supported by grant funding from the Australian Government under the Saving Koalas Fund. The project aims to revitalise and connect koala habitats in the critical region north of Lismore.
Head to our YouTube to learn more about these tools and methods for becoming a Community Koala Watcher: www.youtube.com/@richmondlandcareinc.
If you would like to get involved in future Landcare activities, please contact [email protected]
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
