By Alesha Capone
A charity is appealing for farmers in Wyndham and Greater Geelong to allow tree-planting on their land, to help support the koala population of the You Yangs and Brisbane Ranges.
The Koala Clancy Foundation, which aims to assist koalas in the wild through enhancement and protection of their natural habitat, regularly conducts tree-planting events to provide the native Australian animals with new homes.
The foundation’s president Janine Duffy said the organisation was keen to hear from farmers with land located near rivers, creeks and dams.
“The healthy koalas of the You Yangs and Brisbane Ranges are now more important than ever, with so many other koalas killed in recent bushfires,” Ms Duffy said.
“Our koalas need homes urgently.”
According to the ABC, bushfires across the nation are estimated to have destroyed up to 30 per cent of koalas’ native habitat, with more than 10 million hectares of land razed by the blazes.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley said koalas have suffered an “extraordinary hit” in the fires and might become endangered in some parts of the country.
Ms Duffy said that within Wyndham and Geelong, the Koala Clancy Foundation wanted to plant trees in areas located near Edgars Road, Ripley Road, Quandong Road, Little River, Quandong and Balliang East.
She said the they hoped to plant native tree species including River Red Gums, Red Boxes, Grey Boxes and Yellow Gums, which are favoured by koalas.
“While we welcome contributions from farmers, and encourage and help farmers to apply for grants to cover costs, but essentially, it doesn’t have to cost the farmer anything,” Ms Duffy said.
She said that winter this year would be an ideal time to conduct the planting activities.
Ms Duffy said the foundation was also planning to plant trees in Gippsland, to assist the koalas in the east of the state, following the bushfires.
Farmers and landowners can contact info@koalaclancyfoundation.org.au or see koalaclancyfoundation.org.au/ for details.
