We know if you are here now, you are most likely already on the right side of conservation, whether it is because of our beautiful furry Koala friends or due to a dedication to preserving the environment at large. As it is the beginning of a new year, it’s the perfect time to think about new habits to not only improve your life and wellbeing but the world around you.
The positive green choices we make – no matter how small – add up! Living a sustainable lifestyle results in energy savings, reduced waste and expenses, a healthier mind, body and environment, a sense of purpose, community engagement, support for local business and ethical trading, climate change mitigation, preservation of natural resources and of course wildlife protection.
That said, we do understand that it can be difficult to change habits and to put sustainability into practice. We humans are often balancing family responsibilities, work demands, social obligations and more – convenience is sometimes the easier option – short term.
How to protect koalas in 2025
With all of that in mind as well as the fact that Australia’s koala is on the brink of extinction in New South Wales (NSW), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Queensland (QLD). (There are no wild koalas in WA, the NT and Tasmania), what can you do to help us protect koalas whilst also having some rewards for yourself (that’s if the survival of koalas aren’t enough reward)?

Here are a few choices to get active for Koalas in 2025.
Wherever you are in the world you can …
Support our work
Operating since 1986, Friends of the Koala has an established history of achieving positive outcomes for koalas in the New South Wales Northern Rivers, a region that is home to one of the last significant, genetically diverse koala populations in the world.
We are one of the leading koala conservation groups in Australia and the only organisation that focuses on all aspects of koala conservation. With over 550 members, 239 active volunteers and 9 staff members, we rescue, treat, rehabilitate and release koalas, protect and enhance habitat, initiate and execute koala health research projects, engage and educate the community and advocate on behalf of koalas at a local, state and national level.
Operating across local government areas of Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed, we cover a 10,000+ sq km area and tend to hundreds of sick, injured and orphaned koalas each year, more than any other Koala Hospital in New South Wales, Queensland or Victoria. We founded and lead the Northern Rivers Koala Network, a cooperation between all Northern Rivers councils and koala conservation groups, and representatives from (inter)national NGO’s.
Adopt a tree
Why not adopt a tree (or several) for just $5 each? Without eucalyptus trees there are no koalas and due to increased urbanisation, koala habitat is rapidly shrinking.

Leave a bequest
If you are inspired to give but are not in a position to give financially right now, leaving a bequest can be a really effective way to support our work and protect koalas long into the future. With our partner Gathered Here, you can make a free will with unlimited updates for life in just ten minutes, create a lasting impact without feeling financial stress during their lifetime!
Advocate for koalas
Koalas need your voice to speak up for them, to oppose development and deforestation in koala habitat, to engage government and to make your voice heard. Take a look at our advocacy work and our latest Annual Report to find out more about koala advocacy.
Educate yourself and others
Learn as much as you can about the challenges facing koalas, about how we can protect koalas and their habitat. Attend workshops, watch our documentary, read and share our blogs, videos and social media posts. Tell everyone that will listen about koalas – the more people that know what is happening, the more people we will have protecting them.

Fundraise for Friends of the Koala
We have been so lucky to have so many of our friends participate in various fundraising initiatives to support our work – even primary school students are getting in on the act and we couldn’t be more proud or thankful. If you would like to fundraise for Friends of the Koala, it’s easier than ever to create your fundraiser and share it online with friends. Read more here.
Partner with us
We are very lucky to have amazing partners that make our work possible – without them some of our programs and projects simply wouldn’t happen. We are thankful for those who have come onboard and invest in our work. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to partnering with Friends of the Koala and we are open to suggestions on how we can work together. Please read more about what partnering with us could look like and get in touch if you would like to explore opportunities.
Live sustainably
All efforts towards sustainable living – whether you live in Australia or anywhere in the world does help – please visit our blog – 10 ways to help koalas in 2024 for inspiration.

Locally you can do all of the above and …
Plant trees
Koalas need trees for food and for habitat. If you live locally and have a property, plant trees or volunteer to plant trees on one of our partners’ properties. If this is not an option, you could also adopt a tree. We have the following resources for landholders or those wishing to purchase or adopt trees:
- Community Native Plant Nursery
- Habitat Restoration for Landholders
- Adopt a tree
- Koala habitat restoration and protection
Report koala sightings
Reporting koala sightings is an easy thing to do and can help us to track koalas in the Northern Rivers region. All you have to do is explore our beautiful region and report all sightings of the iconic species on our website. Learn how to spot a sick or injured koala here or report a sighting of a healthy koala here.

Drive cautiously and raise awareness
Koala fatalities due to vehicle collisions are increasing, again due to urbanisation. Humans are living in koala habitat and koalas are therefore all around us. One way to help koalas is to slow down, pay attention to road signs and speed limits, scan the side of the roads, especially after dark, during peak breeding season and in koala hotspots when koala movements increase, when it is more difficult to see them and where koalas live near busy roads. Read more about koalas and cars here.
Create a koala-friendly backyard
Make sure that dogs are kept indoors or leashed; fences are koala-friendly and leave water available for wildlife. For koalas, dog attacks can be fatal, we have a lot more information about creating a koala-friendly backyard and how to prevent dog and koala encounters.
Volunteer
You can directly help koalas by volunteering to help us, if you live locally you can volunteer in person, if don’t live locally, you can support us remotely – we always welcome new ideas and opportunities! Read more about volunteering with us or contact us for more information.

We have more ideas about how to support koala conservation in 2025 here but you might have more ideas that we haven’t thought of – please let us know – we would love to hear from you!