Press release, for immediate release
Little River, 11 September 2024 – Koala Clancy Foundation has planted 150,000 trees – halfway to their goal of 300,000 koala trees by 2030, one year ahead of schedule.
In summer of 2020, as bushfires raged across eastern Australia, Janine Duffy, President of Koala Clancy Foundation, realised that ambitious tree planting targets were needed to give local koalas a fighting chance against heat, drought, fires and climate change.
So the Geelong-based charity set a target: To plant 300,000 koala trees by 2030.
“Planting 300,000 koala trees by 2030 seemed insurmountable for our small team, but the alternative: a future without koalas, was unthinkable,” said Duffy.
“As soon as we announced our target: 300,000 koala trees by 2030, the community support was incredible,” she explained.
Across the Geelong region, international environmental NGOs, large and small corporations and sporting teams have joined Koala Clancy Foundation to plant the 150,000 koala trees.
“2408 community volunteers, including 28 corporate teams, have planted the native trees so fast, we’ve reached the halfway point to our target one year early,” she said.
The Wurdi Youang conservation site at Little River managed by Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative was one of the properties to receive koala trees in 2024. Wurdi Youang Property Manager and proud Gunditjmara man Uncle Reg Abrahams is thrilled with the program.
“I was proud to plant the 150,000th tree on Wurdi Youang, alongside the players from the Melbourne United Basketball team,” said Uncle Reg.
“Koala Clancy Foundation are collaborating with us to help this land, and its wildlife recover, and I am proud to share the history and Aboriginal ecological heritage of Wurdi Youang with the wider community,” he said.
As the Koala Clancy team moves into the second half of their ambitious target, financial support is more crucial than ever.
“Every tree planted helps koalas survive in our region. This is a legacy for the Geelong community to be proud of,” explained Duffy.
Koala Clancy Foundation’s work depends on community and corporate support. Every $10 donated plants one tree.
www.koalaclancyfoundation.org.au/donate
ENDS
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Interviews available on request.
About Koala Clancy Foundation
Koala Clancy Foundation plants trees for koalas, creates new habitat, educates the local and wider community, supports scientific research and advocates for protection of wild koalas and their forest habitats. At end August 2024 the organisation has planted 152,696 koala trees beside rivers on Melbourne’s Western Plains and in East Gippsland, Victoria and is on track to plant 300,000 koala trees on the Western Plains by 2030. Invasive weeds are also targeted, and Koala Clancy Foundation, in partnership with social enterprise Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours, has removed over 4.3 million Boneseed weeds from koala habitat. Koala Clancy Foundation is an independent registered charity and not-for-profit organisation based in Staughton Vale, near Geelong, Victoria.
www.koalaclancyfoundation.org.au/about-us
Media Contact:
Janine Duffy Ph: 0427 808 747 Email: president@koalaclancyfoundation.org.au
