A ground-breaking initiative to ensure the long-term survival of Koalas will be the focus of a momentous workshop in NSW's Gwydir Shire - home of Australia's first 'Koala Kiss' site.
Bringing together community members, land-owners and other key stakeholders, the workshop in Warialda will discuss how Human Plans of Management, rather than a Koala Plan of Management, can guarantee increased Koala numbers in the region 50 years from now.
Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) last month announced Gwydir Shire as the first Koala Kiss Site – part of the larger 'Koala Kiss Project', which aims to link fragmented Koala habitat from Cairns to Melbourne – because it contains secure habitat that can be connected.
But for that to happen, humans must act in unison.
"This workshop will not just be lamenting the loss of Koalas but inspiring abundance,'' AKF Chair Deborah Tabart OAM said.
"We can do it if we all work together. We are welcoming everyone from all walks of life to join us at this two-day workshop in Warialda - to think through the complexities and also the excitement of thinking Koalas will be in the Gwydir Shire landscape in 2075."
AKF's landscape ecologist and AKF's botanist will be visiting Warialda prior to and during the workshop and will be available for advice to landholders.
Ms Tabart said one of the workshop's aims is to establish a Koala Kiss ranger based in Warialda, so potential candidates are welcome to attend.
"We have already opened an office in Warialda and have plans for a full-time Save the Koala Shop which should increase tourism into the town," she said.
"AKF is all about recovery of the species – with the Federal Government officially listing the Koala as Endangered in parts of Australia earlier this year, a Koala Recovery Plan and EPBC Act waiting to be re-written, we're not sitting idle.
"Koalas bring money and attention and we are confident we can be the change that is needed to bring harmony. Governments have encouraged a 'them and us' attitude with regard to environmental issues. Time for us to work together – our planet needs us.
"Imagine if we can achieve contiguous habitat across the entire stretch of the Koala range, and all creatures great and small could traverse through the bush unthreatened – that is the ultimate goal."
The workshop will be held in Warialda on February 14-15 2023.
