Koala Feed Tree Plantations
Koala Feed Tree Plantations
At the heart of our conservation efforts is the continued success of our highly effective captive breeding program, which plays a crucial role in ensuring a sustainable future for koalas. Beyond breeding, we are committed to safeguarding the long-term wellbeing of koalas and other wildlife by establishing vital feed sources, especially in the face of environmental challenges such as natural disasters, including bushfires and floods. To help support this mission, we have partnered with a wide range of organizations and have collectively planted over 5,000 koala feed trees across various sites in Southern Sydney and surrounding areas.
Our collaborations with key partners have enabled us to establish extensive tree plantations in crucial locations. These include large-scale plantings across all Bluescope sites, support for the Greener Cities initiative in partnership with Wollongong Council at Koonawarra in the Illawarra, and additional projects at other critical sites such as ANSTO, Veolia, Benedicts, and Wollongong Coal. These plantations are strategically placed to not only provide essential food sources for koalas but also to contribute to broader efforts aimed at restoring and enhancing the local ecosystem.
It takes approximately 1,000 trees to sustainably feed just one koala. With this in mind, our goal is to cultivate over 20,000 mature feed trees that can be sustainably harvested to support our koalas and other wildlife in need. This ambitious target will help create a stable, long-term food source for koalas, which is especially critical as the species faces ongoing threats to its natural habitat.
Our tree plantations are designed with sustainability in mind. Using a vineyard-style planting pattern, we ensure that each individual tree is spaced optimally for growth and ease of maintenance. Each tree is carefully managed to remain between 3 to 4 meters in height, which encourages the growth of fresh, tender new shoots that koalas rely on for nourishment. This approach also keeps the trees at a safe and manageable height for harvesting, reducing any potential risks to both the trees and the people involved in the process.
Our conservation efforts are not just about planting trees—they are about creating a lasting, self-sustaining ecosystem that will support not only the koalas in our care but also the broader wildlife community in Southern Sydney and beyond. With ongoing partnerships and dedication to habitat restoration, we are paving the way for a future where koalas can thrive in the wild, and where we are prepared to respond quickly in times of crisis to protect injured and displaced wildlife.
Through these efforts, we are helping to restore the balance of nature, ensuring that koalas and other native species have the resources they need to survive and flourish for generations to come.