The Beagle
Aug 23, 2020
Citizen scientists from the Eurobodalla Koala Project have expressed optimism about future population revival after completing their latest habitat survey in Moruya State Forest.
On Friday, assisted by the local Forestry Corporation NSW ecologist, three volunteers analysed vegetation, soil, aspect, slope, fire impact and other koala habitat factors near Little Bumbo Fire Trail.
Organiser Keith Joliffe said "We came away feeling very positive. Although the fire damage is severe, regrowth is healthy and the density of surviving trees isn't much different from before the fire. The plots were dominated by White Stringybark, Grey Ironbark and Smooth-Barked Apple with some Coast Grey Box, Yellow Stringybark and Blue-Leaved Stringybark mixed in. The trees are of a good size and are all significant koala browse species."
The group will do more surveys in Deua National Park and Dampier State Forest this year, spending Commonwealth grant funds locally as part of the region's fire and COVID-19 recovery effort.
Above: Moruya's Jasmin Bourne in action