Ah winter in Queensland!  Coolish early but some of Queensland Koala Crusaders’ team of volunteers, along with IFAW and local visitors soon warmed to the task of planting native habitat trees in a belt adjoining a well-established forest on the beautiful private property of Alsahwa in the Noosa Hinterland.

It is hoped that this planting will provide habitat for a variety of native species but especially koalas.  There have been koalas sighted in the surrounding areas of native vegetation, so by planting additional koala food trees, the koala population will have room to expand and multiply.

Speaking at the planting, Jo from Alsahwa said “we are a farm based eco wellness retreat. Koalas are very important to our landscape, and we are very excited to do our first tree planting experience today with Queensland Koala Crusaders and IFAW”.

In response, QKC President Linda Barnes said “we are putting trees in the ground for the koalas, and we are so grateful that Jo from Alsahwa invited us to be a part of this today. It’s our first tree planting at Alsahwa but hopefully there will be many more”.

“What are we going to do for Wild Koala Day this year?”  "I know", said QKC President, Linda,  “Lets have a Wild Koala Day benefit concert."  And so the idea was born.

Performers, live music, fun for the kids, food, craft beer, all for the benefit of our endangered koalas. What could possibly go wrong?

On a clear early morning in April, members of the QKC volunteers threw their muscles in to help the newly formed Edward Allison Park Bushcare Group restore wildlife habitat along the water course of Cedar Creek, in Draper, north west of Brisbane, in collaboration with Moreton Bay Regional Council.

This first stage, involved clearing of weeds, digging holes, planting trees, watering and spreading mulch.  There will be several more working bees in the coming months to extend the area to be restored and to maintain existing habitat.  This will eventually connect to an expanding wildlife and koala habitat corridor stretching for many kilometres along Cedar Creek.

In the second half of 2021, the veil of corona virus movement and gathering restrictions began to lift and QKC was able to resume activities that are in line with its vision to be a voice for the koalas by protecting and developing koala habitat, providing support for koala carers and advocating for the cause of our endangered koalas.

In a short few months, we have engaged in habitat tree planting activities in a number of sites across south east Queensland from Imbil near Gympie, to the Noosa Hinterland and the Moreton Bay region.

Happy Plantings

We are actively seeking more planting opportunities so that we can improve and increase koala habitat, providing movement corridors for koalas and other wildlife whilst adding to the biodiversity value of the land.  QKC is keen to collaborate with all levels of government, community groups and private landowners to achieve this aim.

In November, QKC was a proud sponsor of the highly successful Noosa Wild Koala Gala, put on by Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation.  Over 300 people attended and were treated to wonderful food, entertainment, and presentations by a panel of leading koala researchers and advocates including our ambassador, Meghan Halverson.

Noosa Wild Koala Gala

QKC has also provided significant funding to Koala Action Inc., Koala Action Gympie Region and Koala Land and Wildlife Support as well as making financial contributions to individual koala carers.

The up listing of the koala’s status from vulnerable to endangered in Queensland, New South Wales, and ACT in 2022, means there is even more work to be done.  The new team at Queensland Koala Crusaders is right up for the challenge.  Come and join us and help us make a difference.

In the News with Channel 7