The koalas in our Northern Rivers Koala Hospital and Koala Care Centre need approximately between 300 and 500 grams of leaf each day. This leaf consists of a variety of eucalypt leaves and a few other related tree species.
The primary food trees for koalas in the Northern Rivers Region are: Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys) and Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta).
To feed the koalas in our care, Friends of the Koala have seven koala food tree plantations and some private plantations, road reserves and private landholder properties.
We often don’t have enough Forest Red Gum or Tallowwood in our plantations. Currently, we are very short on both Forest Red and Tallowwood and are calling on Lismore locals who may have these trees as we would love to come and harvest some leaf for our koalas from them temporarily. If not you personally, then perhaps you know someone who might? Please call our Leafing Coordinator Fiona on: 0432 848 546.
In addition to a shortage of leaf, we also need leaf harvesters to collect leaf for the koalas in rehabilitation.
Who is this type of volunteering for?
Being a leafer is for almost everyone. Our minimum age limit is eighteen and there is no maximum age limit as long as you are reasonably fit!! Our volunteers come from all walks of life: long-term visitors, locals, working full-time, part-time, in-between jobs and retirees. Whether you are looking for a new outlet, wish to stay active or connect with nature and community, we would love to hear from you. If you are looking to find a sense of purpose, learn new skills or because you see the need and want to do something about it, we would love to hear from you. Above all, our volunteers are every-day people who come together because they couldn’t imagine a world without the koala in it.
Leaf Harvesters needed
Our Leaf Harvest team is headed by Fiona Dawson with a team of about twenty resourceful individuals. We currently need:
- One person to join our Friday crew (alternate weeks) and;
- One person to join our Saturday crew (alternate weeks).
Is this you? Would you like to volunteer with the leafing team? Please contact Fiona on m: 0432 848 546 and find out more.
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