Koala Habitat Restoration – Kirbys Environment Reserve
This project is being undertaken as part of the Commonwealth Koala Community Grants opportunity. The objective of this program is to support community-led conservation and recovery efforts to improve the extent, quality and connectivity of the Koala, as well as improve data and knowledge of Koala populations and health across their range. Kirbys Environmental Reserve is a core koala habitat area and key area of connectivity between Kondalilla National Park and Maleny National Park.
Our project aims to improve outcomes for Koalas within Kirby’s Environmental Reserve by addressing:
- Restoration and rehabilitation of habitat
- Monitoring and evaluation of pest species and threats
- Monitoring and evaluation of the koala
- Community engagement through education and participation in citizen science
On-ground activities will include natural assisted regeneration and weed management, planting of 2000 trees, thermal drone imaging and detection dog monitoring of koalas and motion sensor monitoring of pest species. We also aim to engage the local community through a community tree planting day and koala education and monitoring days. Much of the remaining koala habitat resides on private land, and recording sightings is a vital step in conserving koala populations.
