Seeds Of Change

The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) was once common and widespread throughout the eucalypt woodlands and forests of eastern Australia.

Despite their iconic status, a number of pressures (including habitat clearing, natural disasters and disease) have caused a substantial population and distribution decline.

In New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT, koalas are now listed as vulnerable to extinction with many populations persisting in fragmented and isolated habitats. They are increasingly threatened by further habitat loss, modification and fragmentation; vehicle collisions; dog attacks; disease; prescribed burns and wildfires; droughts and heatwaves; and climate change.

How we are helping

For many years Conservation Volunteers Australia has been actively involved in koala habitat restoration, up and down the east coast.

In 2019 CVA and NRMA Insurance formed a major partnership, in order to improve and protect koala habitat in some of our most biodiverse and important koala regions. The ‘Seeds of Change’ Koala project educates and empowers community members to be the change, from planting and habitat restoration, to citizen science and learning how to collect and grow native plants.

The 2019-20 summer bushfire season impacted important habitat for koalas and other threatened species right across the Australian landscape. Every wild home we create contributes to a safer future for wildlife. We take every opportunity to plant seeds of change not only in the landscape, for koalas and their wild neighbours, but in peoples’ hearts and minds.

Northern NSW is recognised as vital habitat for koala protection. The local koala population needs more habitat and food trees, and connection to wildlife corridors to be able to survive and flourish.

Making sure koalas survive in the wild in places like this requires strong partnerships with local community groups, non-government organisations, government departments and the business sector. CVA has been working closely with all these groups and some very passionate community nature stewards in areas with resident koalas, connecting recognised koala corridors. We are fulfilling important government and community goals for koalas, improving the quality of existing habitat and creating new habitat, making it a real team effort.

Photo by Valeriia Miller

Our Project Partners

Special thanks to NRMA Insurance, Friends of the Koala, Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Lismore Council, NSW Local Land Services, NSW Department of Planning & Environment.