100,000 trees for Koalas

A LOCAL charity’s bid to save the Koalas has reached new heights as they restore habitats across the region.

The Koala Clancy Foundation has celebrated planting tree number 100,000, with the milestone taking place beside a creek in Teesedale.

It comes as the foundation planted 27,000 trees in 2022, with the help of more than 880 volunteers.

Foundation president Janine Duffy said they had come a long way since planting just 300 trees in its inaugural year in 2016.

“We have pressed on, growing and growing every year, because our local koalas need these trees urgently,” she said.

“Climate change is threatening our region’s koalas, but a tree can grow large enough to feed a koala in just four years.

“Action taken now could mean the difference between life or death for Geelong koalas, and there’s never been a better time to plant- the years of good rainfall means that growth will be rapid.”

The not-for-profit foundation is now aiming to plant 300,000 trees by 2030, with landowners and farmers from across the region already offering up their riverside habitats throughout the valleys of the Barwon, Moorabool and Little River for revegetation.

Heike Dunn said Koala Clancy Foundation planted on her Stonehaven property in 2021, with some of the trees already reaching four metres high, while Teesedale landowner Brian O’Shannassy said he is teaming up with the foundation for a second time.

“Koala Clancy Foundation planted 5,500 trees on my property in 2022, and are planting another 10,500 this year,” he said.

“We love watching the wildlife return to these properties as the native vegetation is replaced.”

Property owners interested in getting involved are encouraged to register by heading to www.koalaclancyfoundation.org.au