What to do on Wild Koala Day May 3

Existing forests are precious and under threat world-wide. New trees take decades to mature, so protecting what we have is critical to koala’s survival as a species.

Sign a petition to protect a koala forest now:

Redlands Qld: https://c.org/94xxLfPvb9

Tambourine Mountain: https://c.org/HrK8PjQY9b

Gold Coast: https://c.org/wZcx8wNK2m

Toorbul, Qld: https://c.org/PPJcYPLswS

Port Stephens, NSW: https://c.org/PYJcsnfLWr

Mining, clearing for beef cattle, native forest logging, housing and related developments, road and rail infrastructure are the worst destroyers of koala habitat. Call or email your local member of parliament and let them know you are watching how they vote on laws that affect habitat destruction. Tell them you do not accept development approvals on koala habitat and will remember their position when you vote.

Mining harms koalas in many ways. First, they clear habitat.  Then they install roads and train lines that cross a broad landscape, and fill them with heavy vehicles, that kill wildlife.  Then, coal and fossil fuel mines contribute to climate change, which is killing koalas too.

Native forest logging destroys a lot of koala habitat.  In NSW and Queensland, native forest logging is continuing, and is run by the state governments.  Push your MP to get it stopped.  In Victoria and South Australia, native forest logging has ceased, in theory, but in Victoria there is still an issue with government logging by stealth, and unscientific planned burns.  These forests are home to koalas, and our best chance of limiting deadly climate change.   Read more: https://www.victorianforestalliance.org.au/

Clearing habitat for beef cattle is one of the biggest contributors to habitat destruction. Consider skipping meat a few days a week. Check where your meat comes from.  Most supermarkets and takeaway food giants have been linked to deforestation. After pressure, McDonalds have agreed to take deforestation off the menu, but not until 2030. 

Housing developers lobby governments hard to gain access to our forests.  There is other land available, but clearing forests is cheap.  When buying a house, let the developer know you take their past performance into account.  To find out, search their name and “koala” in the news – if they have been cutting down koala habitat you will soon find it.

Plant a tree, or register to plant a tree. Sign up today with these organisations which run tree planting days in koala habitat:

Koala Clancy Foundation, VICTORIA

Bangalow Koalas, NSW

Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation, VIC

Koala Action Gympie Region, QLD

Queensland Koala Crusaders, QLD

Clarence Valley Koala Working Group NSW

Koala Action, Inc QLD

All around the world we are losing forest at a rate of 3.3million hectares per year. Yet trees help our atmosphere, store carbon and reduce the impacts of climate change, and provide food for birds, insects and mammals that contribute to the web of life. Koalas, most of all, need a healthy global environment.

OVERSEAS? You can still plant a tree at home and indirectly, in the long term, it will help a koala.