restoring habitat for Australian wildlife

Nearly 20,000 trees have been planted since Australia’s catastrophic Black Summer bushfires to restore and create habitats for animals to call home. The bushfires destroyed countless trees and thousands of hectares—many of which were home to koalas and other native wildlife.

We’ve been busy working with community groups to restore these habitats across the eastern coast of Australia. So far, we’ve created more than 12 hectares of habitat for koalas to call home. Koalas need trees to survive, so every tree we plant makes an impact. Koala trees, depending on the species and location planted, can take years to grow large enough to provide suitable feed and secure shelter. We need to plant as many as we can today for tomorrow’s koalas.

Together with groups on the ground and more than 200 volunteers, we have planted more than 16,500 trees in New South Wales and 2,800 in Victoria which were significantly impacted by the bushfires. Land clearing, development and climate change are also putting koala habitat at further risk. At least another 5,000 koala trees and other native species will be planted in the next six months providing about another three hectares of habitat for native wildlife.

Full-circle approach to help koalas

This crucial habitat restoration work is part of IFAW’s full-circle approach to conservation in Australia. Through our expertise and network of wildlife carers, we help to rescue injured animals and provide the critical resources for their rehabilitation so they can be released back into the wild where they belong. 

But for rehabilitated animals to be released back into the wild, they need safe places to call home. That’s where we all have a part to play. This isn’t a problem fixed by one individual or group. We all need to work together to be part of the solution.

How you can help:

• Join a community group and volunteer at local planting days
• Help us rebuild koala habitat by buying a tree
• Recycle, reuse and reduce your carbon footprint
• Share with us why #WeNeedTrees

This National Tree Day, we’re asking you to post a photo or video of yourself on Instagram and tell us why #WeNeedTrees. Tag three friends or family members and get them involved so we can show the world why trees are vital.