newy.com.au – Port Stephens Council has released a free guide to help residents identify the trees koalas use for food and shelter, as part of a joint project covering five council areas.
The Koala Tree Guide uses photographs and easy-to-read diagrams of tree features to simplify eucalyptus identification for beginners. It also offers advice on planting new trees and planning local conservation projects.
Developed in partnership with the NSW Government, the resource covers Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Mid-Coast, Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings. The collaboration is intended to support habitat protection across council boundaries, rather than treating each area in isolation.
NSW government koala strategy senior project officer Reegan Walker said the guide translated technical habitat mapping into information residents, volunteers, environmental groups and council staff could use.
“Getting everyday people, volunteers, environmental groups and Council staff using the guide will help protect our wildlife corridors and support local koala populations and their habitat,” Mr Walker said.
He said the shared approach reflected the fact that koalas move across council boundaries, making regional co-operation important to protecting their habitat.
Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson said the guide was intended to build residents’ knowledge of their local environment and encourage them to support koala conservation in their own backyards.
The guide is available as a free digital download through Port Stephens Council. Printed copies are available for collection from the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary and the council’s administration building during September, while copies can also be borrowed from Port Stephens libraries.
The project received funding from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the NSW Environmental Trust.
