Forestry Corporation has delivered 25,000 koala food tree seedlings to Bangalow Koalas to support the North Coast koala conservation group’s efforts to establish new wildlife habitat on private land. Source: Timberbiz
Bangalow Koalas has set the goal of planting 90,000 trees over the next 12 months and the supply of 25,000 seedlings from the Forestry Corporation’s Grafton nursery will assist with realising this goal.
The seedlings were delivered to the Friends of the Koala’s Lismore nursery and consist of seven of the preferred koala feed tree species including tallowwood, forest red gum, grey gum, Dunn’s white gum, blue gum, blackbutt and flooded gum.
Forestry Corporation Partnerships Leader Ryan Ellis said more than 200,000 seedlings have been donated to conservation groups over the last four years to support community koala habitat planting programs.
“We’re proud to work with Bangalow Koalas, Friends of the Koala and the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to help local communities improve existing habitat connectivity and create future food sources across the landscape,” Mr Ellis said.
“These projects are primarily on private or public lands outside of the State Forest estate.
“The ongoing work by Bangalow Koalas shows the resilience of these volunteer groups and they continue to accomplish great outcomes and are best placed to support local projects,” he said.
Friends of the Koala Nursery Manager Mark Wilson said the donation is greatly appreciated.
“The stock we have received is in great condition and now stored safely at the Friends of the Koala Nursery in Lismore for acclimatisation and hardening,” Mr Wilson said.
“Coordinating a delivery of 25,000 in one day was a big effort – many thanks to the volunteers who assisted on the day and to Forestry for arranging transport.
“Following a period of high rainfall and with the current cool, dry weather the conditions are looking favourable to undertake large plantings. It’s been heartening to see many of the plantings undertaken before last year’s flooding have bounced back with minimal damage,” he said.
Bangalow Koalas President Linda Sparrow said the voluntary organisation appreciates the support of Forestry Corporation to achieve its replanting target.
“The challenges we currently face include predicted El Niño this year, which will mean hot, dry weather and less rain for all the trees we have planted so far this year,” Ms Sparrow said.
“We have learnt to adapt to the different conditions, which are becoming the norm as a result of climate change.”
The seedlings were grown at Forestry Corporation’s Grafton nursery, which last year produced 3-million seedlings for plantation re-establishment.
