KAGR
PROJECTS
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
If you are interested in being involved visit our Volunteering page for more information.
Kandanga Koala Konnections
Formerly a dis-used cleared block being returned to natural habitat. The habitat will be planted close to the natural ecosystems so as it matures it will provide habitat for a variety of species of wildlife including birds reptiles and other marsupials.
Approved for 2400 trees on a 2.7Ha block. Second block and around dam to be completed later.
There is eye witness reports from landholders of population of six koalas including two bucks and two joey’s. Koalas are regularly using the remaining trees on the block.
They are utilising the food trees on three side of the site. So it is an important linkage which will be better connected to other nearby koala projects such as the koala food tree plantings on council land at the Imbil Sewerage treatment Plant.
Mary Valley Rail Trail Habitat Link
This project, undertaken in partnership with the Mary Valley Rail Trail Association and Gympie Landcare was designed to enhance the enjoyment of trail users and to create a diverse wildlife habitat.
For Koala Action Gympie Region this planting formed part of an ongoing project to provide corridors linking existing koala habitats in the whole of the Mary Valley.
Funding for the project was provided by various bodies including The Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, Nestles, Queensland Koala Crusaders and Wires.
Many thousands of volunteer hours have gone into this project and this continues with ongoing maintenance. This is a wonderful whole-of-community project.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MVRT KOALA HABITAT MAP
Video courtesy of Brett’s Drone Photography
USC and Scientific Koala Surveys
As part of our two grants received from the Australian Government, we are working with the University of the Sunshine Coast and Scientific Koala Surveys to investigate koala population knowledge gaps in the Gympie Region.
This includes droning several areas that appear to contain suitable habitat for koalas but where very few sightings have been reported. At each site, koala density will be estimated thanks to real time drone-mounted thermal imagery, with each koala detection subsequently visited on foot to collect fresh scat samples with assistance from a specially trained detection dog. Early reports have found koalas at each site which is very encouraging. It is crucial that we understand where koalas are located in order to ensure that these populations do not become isolated and lose genetic diversity for their long-term survival.
Koala scat samples will then be analysed using next-generation genetic sequencing and genotyping to provide individual genetic “fingerprinting”, population health (Chlamydia prevalence, sex-ratio, genetic relatedness, diversity and inbreeding) and diet (food tree species), which can identify populations in need of intervention actions for effective conservation and recovery. This might include disease management or targeted rehabilitation to increase habitat connectivity and hence gene flow.
Koala Action Gympie Region has a plan to KEEP koalas in our area with their new PEEK program. This became urgent with the upgrading of koalas from vulnerable to endangered by both the Federal and State Governments in early 2022.
Since 2018 we have encouraged the planting of koala food trees and habitat on private land by providing trees for landholders through various grants including the Gympie Regional Council Environment grants. We initially started this program because most koalas in the region are sighted on private properties. Since that time, we have provided over 10,000 trees for plantings to landholders. You may have seen our signs on properties around the region.
The Peek Project is only available to KAGR members. We would love you to join us. All compulsory fields must be completed. All new applicants will receive individual assessments of their properties and complete a planting agreement prior to proceeding.
For previous recipients, please just send us an email with what you would like this coming year.
KOALA ACTION GYMPIE REGION INC.
The Koala Action Gympie Region Inc. (KAGR)
Email: president@kagr.org.au
Facebook: @koalagympie
Phone: 0428 865 172
Visit our Facebook page where we share information about koalas in our region, and local and broader koala conservation issues.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Membership is free and by becoming a member of KAGR Inc, you will receive regular emails about our activities. By helping our membership to grow you contribute to raising awareness of koalas within our community. We hold general meetings every 3 months at which we have guest speakers or information sessions and keep you up to date about our various projects.