To celebrate World Wildlife Day, the NSW Government has announced six new koala habitat restoration projects, which include planting 50,000 koala feed tree seedlings, in the Northern Rivers and Far South Coast regions.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said he was pleased to provide up to $150,000 in funding to a wide range of organisations, including Lismore City Council, Friends of the Koala, Far South Coast Landcare Association, Border Ranges-Richmond Valley Landcare Network and Bangalow Koalas to restore koala habitat.
“While we’re still determining the full impact of this season’s bushfires on koalas and other wildlife, we know that more than 25 per cent of koala habitat in eastern NSW was affected by fires,” Mr Kean said.
“By planting more trees and restoring habitats, we can help our koalas and other native animals recover from these devastating bushfires.
“These projects also acknowledge the passion of our regional communities and local organisations, who spend their time and money caring for their local koala populations and getting involved in tree planting, weed control and site preparation activities.
“These grants are part of the $1 million investment to deliver local actions in partnership with the community under the NSW Koala Strategy.”
The NSW Koala Strategy, which provides $44.7 million in funding, is the biggest commitment by any State government to secure koalas in the wild. It sets out the NSW Government’s long-term goal to stabilise then increase koala populations across NSW.
The NSW Koala Strategy is supported by the Saving our Species program, which is working to secure the future of NSW threatened plants and animals, including the koala.
Further information on how the NSW Government is supporting conservation through community actions is available on NSW Koala Country, a website that celebrates some of the inspiring people and organisations who dedicate their time to helping protect our koalas.
Find out more about the NSW Koala Country website at www.koala.nsw.gov.au
