Funded by WIRES, two Koala Forums were held in Delungra and Warialda in November.  Facilitated by North West Regional Koala ARKS with support from Northern Slopes Landcare and GWYMAC Landcare, the forums set out to raise awareness of all things koala in our region.  Speakers on the day included John Hodge from North West Regional Koala ARKS, John Lemon from JML Environmental, Angela Baker from North West Local Land Services, Elsie Baker from Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, Elizabeth Kakoschke - Wires Carer, Cheyne Flanagan from Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, and Toni Withers from Delungra Public School.

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Attendees learnt ofhe threats to koala populations in our regions, as well as the opportunities to improve their habitat by providing clean watering points and planting koala habitat suitable to the local region.  John Lemon from JML Environmental also demonstrated a system he has developed to assist wildlife carers such as Wires Carers to safely secure injured or sick wildlife in order that they can receive treatment.  JML very generously donated one system on the day for use by local WIRES carer Elizabeth Kakoschke in the rescuing of koalas in the Gwydir region and surrounds.

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North West Regional Koala ARKS (areas of regional koala significance) is a local group made up of representatives across the Moree, Gwydir and Inverell local government areas including WIRES carers, Gwydir Shire Council, local residents, both North West and Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Northern Slopes Landcare, GWYMAC Landcare and locally based ecologists.  The group aims to increase the awareness of koalas in the local region, and to improve, increase and secure their habitat for improved and increasing koala populations in the future.  Further activities planned by the group and also funded by WIRES include the installation of interpretive signage at the Warialda Koala and Wildlife Reserve, as well as distribution of habitat trees to local residents for planting on farm.

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