Grow your own koala banquet

A big shout-out to Matt and Melanie for not only hosting, but sharing their expansive knowledge and experience in native plant identification, seed collection and propagation; as well as natural area restoration and conservation. 

Thanks also to Caitlin, from Council for being on hand for the day, and for all the information about one of our favourite animals, the Koala.   

IF you left before I managed to hand out the feedback forms, please head over to this link and fill out the online version.  Your feedback is really important to the program, adn helps us deliver relevant and informative events in the future, so thanks in advance for taking the time to complete it (and thanks to those who did so yesterday). 

We covered a fair bit of territory yesterday, so I thought it would be good to share some relevant links about Eucalypt ID, seed collection and so on: 

EUCLID - a comprehensive online key to all species of Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora.  The factsheets for each species have colour photographs of nearly all stages of growth, bark, flower buds, fruit and seed. 

TreesNearME - Statewide Vegetation Mapping, with attached species lists for each Plant Community Type (PCT).  Most of this is pretty coarse, with no ground truthing in our area. But it is a good reference and has links to more info about each species in the lists. 

NatureMapr - a newish platform with both mobile and internet versions.  This is an improvement of inaturalist for citizen scientists to record and share observations (photographs) of the natural world.  It has two levels of authentication (AI and human ecologists) and then verified records are added to the Bionet Database.  This is significant because it is this database that is referred to when State Significant Developments are assessed, and policy is modified or reviewed.  Currently, inaturalist records are not linked to this database. 

ispykoala State Government APP for both android and iphone that allows immediate and easy reporting of Koala sightings - live, dead, scats.  Photo required. 

Florabank - Great resource with information about how to collect native and propagate seed, and the rules and regulations around doing so. 

Event feedback included

🧠 Knowledge Sharing and Learning

• Presenters were knowledgeable and willing to share insights.
• Participants valued learning about local flora and fauna, including tree identification, sprouting seeds, and koala information.
• The combination of theory and hands-on learning (e.g. forest walks and plant ID) was particularly appreciated.
• Comments included:
  • “The perfectly delivered information”
  • “Great knowledge”
  • “With each event I attend, my knowledge is growing”

🌿 Practical Skills and Activities

• Hands-on components like plant and tree ID were well received.
• Participants enjoyed practical and useful tips applicable to land management.
• Desire for more resources:
  • Tips or handouts for tree ID
  • Book recommendations
  • More insight into ongoing research (e.g. Bootawa Koala study)

🐨 Topics of Future Interest

• Strong interest in:
  • Koalas – habitats and habits
  • Other fauna – wallabies, kangaroos, goannas
  • Invertebrates – dung beetles and insects
  • Nesting box installation
  • Endangered species
• Broader interest in:
  • Strategies to influence government conservation and climate change programs

👥 Social and Community Connection

• The event fostered social engagement and peer learning.
• Positive remarks on the opportunity to mix with like-minded participants.
• Hospitality and friendly atmosphere were noted:
  • “Hospitable and well-informed hosts”
  • “Always good to socialise with other participants”

📍 Event Logistics and Venue

• Overall logistics were well managed, but a few suggestions included:
  • Improving clarity of venue directions
  • Hosting more events or allowing more time on similar content
  • Enhancing accessibility to supporting materials (handouts, research info)

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