THE Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation group is preparing for the 2024 stage of its biolink project and is keen to hear from landholders from Cerberus to Tyabb who would like to take part.
The project, now in its fourth year, aims to help the peninsula’s koalas by strengthening existing indigenous vegetation in the region. So far, the group has planted more than 70,000 plants, with 25,000 planned for 2024.
President Dirk Jansen said the main reason for the decline in koala numbers on the peninsula was the loss of indigenous vegetation, and one of the keys to improving that was to work with private landholders.
“More than 70 per cent of available koala habitat is on private property,” he said.
The group aims to offset the impact of urbanisation on biodiversity by creating indigenous vegetation links between habitat pockets, so koalas are less likely to be in injured or killed crossing roads, caught in fences, or attacked by dogs.
To continue its work, the group next year will collaborate with land owners by planting indigenous vegetation on selected properties from Crib Point to Tyabb.
Jensen said he encouraged landholders on more than 10 acres to contact the group about the opportunity to create koala habitat on their property, or anyone who is considering a significant revegetation project in the target area.
The group will work with individual property owners to create a suitable planting plan, supply native plants sourced from local indigenous nurseries, and schedule the volunteer planters for a suitable date during autumn and winter next.
“We also welcome the community to join us at our family friendly planting days from May to October. Many hands make light work, and it is very satisfying to be a part of a keen group planting 500 trees in just two to three hours. It is a lovely way to start the weekend,” he said.
Landowners in or around Tyabb, Hastings, Bittern and Crib Point can email to MPKoalatreeplanting@outlook.com
First published in the Western Port News – 25 October 2023
