As part of the joint 2015-17 CWC/SNEL Quollity Koala Corridors and Questions Project, funded by the NSW Environmental Trust, eleven properties in the corridor between Dangars Falls and Tilbuster were surveyed for koalas during summer 2015-16. As a result, nine of these properties revealed evidence of recent koala activity, or the actual presence of at least one koala.

These results confirmed anecdotal reports from landholders and information from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, in 2004, that the semi-continuous habitat corridor from Dangars Falls, to Imbota Nature Reserve, Yina Nature Reserve, then via properties adjacent to Donald and Herbert Park Roads to the Tilbuster and Black Mountain areas provides habitat for Koalas.

An evening nature walk and workshop, in December 2016, saw a large group of people gaining experience in using tracks, scats, calls and spotlighting for detecting koalas. The group were also shown ways to record and report their observations of Koalas and other fauna.

Then, in June 2017, landholders of the eleven properties surveyed in summer 2015-16 were contacted to follow-up on ‘citizen surveys’ for koalas during the 2015-17 period. Four landholders reported sightings of koalas, including a sighting of a mother with a joey. The presence of young koalas means the population can potentially replace itself, assuming the young ones can survive.

All landholders can help reduce key processes which are challenging koala survival, by providing help for them to move through the landscape and access mates, increasing their chances of finding sufficient water and food of the right type, and decreasing the chances of predation or sickness.

To support our existing Koalas and help ensure the survival of future generations of Koalas you can:
- maintain closely spaced patches and corridors of eucalypts , especially with native shrub understorey;
- utilise koala food species when planting native vegetation;
- minimise the use of netting or sheeting in fences;
- keep dogs restrained, especially at night or when owners are away;
- drive cautiously, especially in timbered country and where koala road signs occur;
- inform your neighbours of your koala sightings or evidence, so they can be on the lookout too; and
- report your sightings and evidence of koalas to local council and the citizen science part of the Atlas of Living Australia.

On-line facilities for reporting sightings of Koalas are available via the Armidale Regional Council website at http://www.armidale.nsw.gov.au/environment/koalas-armidale  and the Atlas of Living Australia website at https://biocollect.ala.org.au/ala-cs 

This project was funded by the NSW Environmental Trust.