From the Bunya Mountains to the New South Wales border: conservation project works to protect wildlife impacted by natural disaster

A Darling Downs conservation project is calling for volunteers as they try to reduce impacts of drought, flood, and fires on Queensland wildlife and farm owners. Find out how you can help:

Koala Climate Corridors project led by Lockyer Uplands Catchment to help wildlife adapt and communities build resilience to climate change.

A conservation project is working to build a koala corridor from the Bunya Mountains to the New South Wales border, in an effort to connect native wildlife and reduce the impacts of extreme weather on Queensland’s protected species.

More than 3500 native trees were planted last year in the first phase of the Bunyas to Border project.

Volunteers also built nesting boxes to home greater gliders.

Koala Climate Corridors project led by Lockyer Uplands Catchment to help wildlife adapt and communities build resilience to climate change.

Bunyas to Border project co-ordinator Maree Clancy said the project was not just beneficial to the native wildlife, but also helped local landowners reduce wind going across their paddocks, create shade for livestock and improve pasture health.

“I really believe that we can assist fauna to move across properties by planting,” she said.

“Droughts, fires, and floods kill and deteriorate their habitats and those animals need to be able to move to safer locations.”

Ms Clancy said the project was a great way for people to give back to the community.

“We are just trying to get as many people as we can from the local community involved,” she said.

The project is a collaboration with Great Eastern Ranges, Lockyer Uplands Catchments Inc, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Great Eastern Ranges CEO Gary Howling said in the long run the goal of the project is to get the project over the Queensland- New South Wales border.

“This is the scale of effort needed to make a meaningful impact for our wildlife, communities and land in the face of climate change,” he said.

Three planting days will be taking place near Toowoomba, one in Plainby on April 5, one at Thornville on April 12, and one at Crows Nest on May 3.

Volunteers can register by emailing [e-mail] or by calling 0494156756.