Saving the East Coast koala, one seedling at a time

NEW research shows most Australians underestimate the risk of koalas becoming extinct, despite a parliamentary inquiry warning the species could disappear from New South Wales by 2050 without urgent action.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by WWF Australia, found 65 per cent of respondents believed koalas were only somewhat, or not at all, at risk of extinction.

The knowledge gap was most pronounced among younger generations, with 71 per cent of Gen Z and 77 per cent of Millennials agreeing or unsure that enough was being done to protect koalas.

WWF Australia CEO, Dermot O’Gorman, said all Australians could play a role in saving koalas.

“We can all become koala champions by discussing the threats facing these Aussie icons and taking action to protect their forest homes,” O’Gorman said.

“We’re expanding our efforts to deliver education across the country to engage young people, schools and local communities in koala conservation.”

In the Northern Rivers, Clunes resident Matt Bleakley is working to restore koala habitat through his Banyula Farm project, which is dedicated to large-scale environmental restoration.

“Eighteen months ago, we planted nearly 30 different types of trees in the section we call our ‘koala resort’, and life is already starting to flourish in a future forest environment,” he said.

“We are a little while away from having koalas in there, but the initial stages of building biodiversity, flora and fauna are really successful.”

Bleakley has led the Banyula project for more than a decade, with new planting aimed at growing a 30-metre forest corridor across 25 hectares. He believes the koala habitat will be fully occupied in less than two decades.

“I encourage people to learn more about Australia’s diverse wildlife and how to nurture it,” he said.

“The simple act of planting one tree and watching a bird move in, all the way to planting a forest corridor and seeing koalas thrive, is so fulfilling.”

WWF Australia commissioned the survey in partnership with Australia Post.

For information, visit wwf.org.au/koalachampion