WITH over sixty thousand trees planted since 2016, non-profit group Koala Clancy Foundation is growing their operations into Golden Plains Shire.<\/p>\n
The organisation aims to plant 30,000 trees between Bannockburn and Inverleigh over three years with the aim of aiding the region\u2019s koala habitat.<\/p>\n
Koala Clancy Foundation is seeking $373,000 for the endeavour, which president Janine Duffy said will improve the region\u2019s habitat for koalas.<\/p>\n
\u201cInverleigh\u2019s nature reserve was left unfarmed because it\u2019s really poor country,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so sandy and dry that the koalas can\u2019t live there anyway, and all the surrounding fertile lands have been created into farmlands.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, the koalas need better access to quality food. That\u2019s the only way we can keep their population alive and that\u2019s why this is so important.\u201d<\/p>\n
The three-year project will begin in August with 5000 trees to be planted along Native Hut and Stony creeks at the Woolbrook Estate.<\/p>\n
Over 150 volunteers are expected to assist with the initial effort, with 37 different tree species to be planted throughout the project.<\/p>\n
River red gum and manna gum trees will take priority, which Ms Duffy said are a koala\u2019s preferred food.<\/p>\n
Of the funds required for the three-year project, $50,000 will go towards surveying the results while the remainder will support the revegetation efforts.<\/p>\n
Koala Clancy Foundation aims to plant 10,000 trees in 2023, and Ms Duffy said their efforts will benefit more than just the koala population.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetween our own weeding and revegetation, that\u2019ll supress a lot of weeds like serrated tussock, which will lead to a healthier ecosystem over all,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth the creeks at Woolbrook flow into the Barwon, so this will also be really important for water quality in the region as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur main focus is the Barwon, Moorabool and the Little River because they\u2019re all koala habitat rivers with existing populations.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH over sixty thousand trees planted since 2016, non-profit group Koala Clancy Foundation is growing their operations into Golden Plains Shire. The organisation aims to plant 30,000 trees between Bannockburn and Inverleigh over three years with the aim of aiding the region\u2019s koala habitat. Koala Clancy Foundation is seeking $373,000 for the endeavour, which president […]<\/p>\n