Bangalow Koalas celebrated a major milestone on the weekend in their mission to save koalas – the planting of their 500,000th tree in the Northern Rivers since 2019.
About half that total was supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia as part of its aim to double koala numbers by 2050.
As the swamp mahogany sapling was positioned on a hobby farm in Possum Creek, supporters cheered the achievement.
Bangalow Koalas President Linda Sparrow said, ‘500,000 trees means half a million new homes for koalas and countless other native species.
‘It’s a symbol of what community passion and persistence can achieve – turning hope into living, breathing habitat.
‘For me, it represents connection, purpose, and a legacy of care that will grow for generations.’
Keystone species
Nicole Forrester, Chief Regenerative Officer, WWF-Australia, who attended the celebration, said, ‘Koalas are a keystone species. Save koalas and their habitat, and we save all the other species that need forest areas to survive.
‘Seeing bare paddocks being transformed back into wildlife habitat is inspirational. To build on Bangalow Koalas great work we also need to protect remaining forests.
‘The federal government must strengthen the EPBC legislation now before parliament to close loopholes that allow deforestation of the homes of koalas and other threatened species.’
Volunteers from Queensland, NSW and even the USA have travelled to Bangalow Koalas’ planting events eager to do something hands-on to help koalas.
So far, 454.54 hectares across 123 properties have been restored with koala food and shelter trees. That equals more than 430 Sydney Football Stadium playing surfaces.
WWF’s Senior Manager of Koala Recovery, Tanya Pritchard, was also on hand to celebrate the 500,000 tree milestone.
She said, ‘Koalas are feeding on these trees as soon as the branches can take their weight. It’s incredibly uplifting and shows the value of regenerating nature.
‘Koalas need more trees for food, shelter, and to be able to move safely through the landscape.’
More than a name
Furniture brand Koala has contributed significant funds towards WWF’s support of Bangalow Koalas. Koala CEO Dany Milham said, ‘When we started the business we wanted to do something about the decline in koala numbers, that’s why we called our brand Koala.
‘We built our business around sustainability and the social cause of helping koalas and other threatened species. To grow a successful enterprise but also know that you’re doing good, that’s why we get out of bed, that’s why our staff work for us,’ he said.
‘To see koalas feeding on these plantings after a few short years means the world to us, our team, and our customers.’
Bangalow Koalas now aims to plant 1 million trees across northern NSW by 2030.
A huge wildlife corridor is being created to help koalas move out of urban areas and away from roads and dogs.
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