Tweed residents keen to learn how to identify trees used by koalas are encouraged to attend a Tree Identification Workshop at the Pottsville Environmental Centre on Saturday, July 16 from 1-4pm.
The workshop is part of a series of forums being held by Council for its Koala Connections Project, which aims to increase the community’s knowledge and appreciation of Tweed koalas.
“Learning about the type of trees koalas use to roost and feed on will help people gain an understanding of where koalas might be and ways we can protect their habitat,” the project’s coordinator, Sally Jacka, said.
“Koalas are very fussy eaters. They will only feed on a few different types of Eucalypts and these vary from region to region. In the Tweed, they feed on tallowwood, forest red gum, Eucalyptus robusta and grey gum. There are a few other species they occasionally use. However, although these trees provide shelter, they do not provide enough nutrition to sustain them.”
Ms Jacka said past clearing of the koalas’ favoured trees had fragmented their habitat and broken their traditional routes for breeding and dispersal.
“Through the Koala Connections Project, landholders will be encouraged to undertake tree planting activities to link habitat and create more continuous corridors of food and shelter,” she said.
The project was launched last month, after a Tweed Coast Koala Habitat Study by Council identified key linkages where weed control and revegetation could improve the future prospects for Tweed Coast koalas. Effective linkages range from broad corridors of existing vegetation, to single rows of koala food trees planted along fence lines.
Council’s Bushland Manager, John Turnbull, will conduct the workshop. Participants will be provided with resource materials and afternoon tea. Places are limited, so register with Sally Jacka on (02) 6670 2561 or by email on sjacka@tweed.nsw.gov.au
