Continuing to create koala corridor

BANGALOW Koalas president Linda Sparrow is preparing to speak at the Global Nature Positive Summit being held in Sydney from October 8 to 10.

The inaugural event aims to boost private sector investment to protect and repair our environment.

Ms Sparrow, who was named Conservationist of the Year by the Australian Geographic Society in 2022, is hoping the platform will help the not-for-profit organisation gain more funding to continue its work restoring habitat for wildlife across the Northern Rivers.

While it recently celebrated planting 400,000 trees across more than 100 properties and six shires since 2019, it is yet to secure funding for 2025. Its goal is to have planted 500,000 trees by the end of that year.

The area of reforestation is based on the Northern Rivers Regional Koala Strategy, which has been developed through a collaborative partnership of six regional councils (Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed) and Lismore-based Friends of the Koala.

It features a map showing where habitat needs to be protected, connected and created.

“The corridor just keeps growing as interest grows,” Ms Sparrow said.

“It’s not just for koalas — black cockatoos, grey-headed flying foxes, bees and other species benefit too.”

Bangalow Koalas also recently partnered with Byron Shire Council to trial a new temporary solar-powered lighting tower on a poorly lit section of Broken Head Road near Byron Bay Golf Club.

The initiative follows the death of Moji the koala, who was killed by a car on that stretch of road in August.

“We’re just trying to see if it helps stop koalas getting hit in that section of the road,” Ms Sparrow said.

For more information or to donate, visit bangalowkoalas.com.au