With koalas now listed as endangered both in Queensland and federally, the clock is ticking for our local wildlife. However, a groundbreaking thermal drone survey revealed a beacon of hope: at least 51 koalas are living right here in Reesville. This is one of the most significant populations in the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland area—and they need our help to survive and thrive.
Through Hinterland Bush Links’ WIRES funded Koala Community Action: Restoration & Education in Reesville (Koala CARER) project, we are turning this critical data into on-ground action. By uniting local landholders, volunteers, and ecological experts, we are launching an ambitious initiative to protect, expand, and reconnect vital wildlife habitats right here in our backyard.
The Challenge: Fragmented Forests
Thick infestations of invasive weeds choke out native vegetation and physically block koalas from moving across the landscape to find food and mates. Because many of these koalas live on private land, success hinges on building a neighbourhood culture that puts koala conservation first. Our goal is simple: expand existing corridors, improve habitat quality, and make the landscape safer for koalas to breed, travel, and thrive.
We aren’t just talking about conservation; we are rolling up our sleeves. The Koala CARER project is rolling out an extensive hit-list of environmental milestones:
High-Tech Discovery Surveys: Combining wildlife cameras, sound monitoring, and thermal imaging to understand koala movements.
Planting 1,500 Koala Food & Habitat Trees: Getting native tubestock into the ground on private properties.
8 Volunteer Weeding & Maintenance Events: Keeping the invasive weeds at bay so our new seedlings can thrive.
Professional Weed Erasure: Partnering with local bush regenerators to clear heavy weed infestations across properties.
Learning and Living Alongside Koalas
True conservation extends beyond the field—it lives in the community. We are hosting dedicated educational events to help locals learn practical skills for protecting our wildlife:
1. The Reesville Community Forum
Led by Brush Turkey Enterprises, this forum brings together local residents, specialist ecologists, and the Jinibara Rangers to explore the future of Reesville’s koalas. Hear firsthand updates from local koala monitoring programs, learn about the region’s native ecosystems from experts who source and grow local seeds, and discover the latest research from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
2. Koala Education Field Day & Forest Walk
Led by the Queensland Koala Crusaders, this hands-on field day and guided forest walk will teach residents how to spot koalas in the wild and provide practical tips on how to safely live alongside them.
A Ripple Effect for Local Wildlife
While koalas are the undisputed stars of this project, they aren’t the only ones who win. By restoring these rural corridors and linking them with other local restoration initiatives, we are creating a healthier ecosystem that directly benefits other vulnerable native fauna, including:
- Greater gliders
- Sugar gliders
- Glossy black cockatoos
- Ninox owls
- The rare Maleny & Conondale spiny crayfish
Want to be part of the story? Attend a community forum, join a discovery event, volunteer with the Roving Restorers, become a Hinterland Bush Links member, or follow us on social media to stay connected. Together, we can build a stronger future for Reesville’s koalas and the habitats they call home.
