Overview:
“Finalisation of one of our largest and closest plantings to the You Yangs koala population. 2022 will see the last trees planted in this huge 9000 tree project.”
Janine Duffy, President Koala Clancy Foundation
Location: northern slopes of the You Yangs.
Status: Confirmed and complete.
Number of trees/shrubs: 850 planted on 31 July 2022. These trees join 4315 planted in 2021 and 3822 planted in 2020.
Contact: president@koalaclancyfoundation.org.au
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Vision:
New habitat planted close to existing koala populations has the best chance of early colonisation by koalas. This site, on the northern slopes of the You Yangs, was once a grassy woodland of Yellow and Grey Box trees, Melbourne Yellow Gums and River Red Gums – perfect koala habitat. Over many years of farming and drought, many of the old trees were lost.
New owners are determined to bring back the wildlife and native plants to the property. We started planting in 2020, continued in 2021 & 2022 and have successfully planted 8987 trees and shrubs.
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PAST PLANTINGS ON THIS SITE:
2022 planting:
Number of trees/shrubs: 850
2022 project supported by: Tourism Authority of Thailand
Progress report: All tree guards were removed in 2024. In this area, Dianella longifolia is thriving under Bursaria spinosa, Banksia marginata and Red Box Eucalyptus polyanthemos. Trees and groundcovers planted in 3s are doing better than the single trees.
2021 planting:
Number of trees/shrubs: 4315
Size of planting site: 7.78 hectares
2021 project supported by: Binance Charity, City of Greater Geelong & Tourism Authority of Thailand
Progress report:
The trees are growing well. In June 2024 most of the eucalypts are over 1.5m high, with a few over 2m. Hop Bush, Sticky Boobialla Myoporom petiolatum, Fragrant Saltbush Rhagodia parabolica are now large shrubs. Nodding Saltbush Einadia nutans is thriving, covered in fruit, and the Red-rumped Parrots are everywhere
In response to the success of Cassinia arcuata, Hop Bush Dodonea viscosum and Ruby Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa on the clay dam edge, we planted more of these species on that location. Surprisingly, in 2024 some of the eucalypts planted on the dam edge are now large.
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2020 planting:
Number of trees/shrubs: 3822
Size of planting site: 9.79 hectares
2020 project supported by: Koala Clancy Foundation donors
Progress report:
The trees are growing extremely well for the most part. The first plantings in July 2020 along a drainage line were assessed in November 2021. Four squares of 20m x 20m were assessed along the site. 3 squares achieved an average of 85% survival (range 83.3 – 88.9). 1 square achieved 78.9% survival.
The second round of plantings in August 2020 were on a tougher site, granite sand further from water. Some were on a clay dam edge with no topsoil.
We assessed two squares in the worst area in March 2022 and they achieved 78.3% and 58.6% survival. Other squares have fared better. Of the trees and shrubs planted into the clay dam edge, best survival was by Cassinia arcuata, Dodonea viscosum and Enchylaena tomentosa.
Opportunities are available to become involved with this project as a volunteer in future – removing and recycling tree guards and stakes, and monitoring progress. Contact president@koalaclancyfoundation.org.au
