Ten years of connecting communities, councils and conservation efforts across the Northern Rivers.
The Northern Rivers Koala Network (NRKN) is marking its 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of collaboration to protect koalas and restore their habitat across the Northern Rivers of New South Wales.
The Network began in 2016 when Friends of the Koala brought together key stakeholders to develop a regional communications plan to improve coordination and community messaging around koala conservation. This set the foundation for a more connected, region-wide approach.
The plan was formally launched at the Joint Organisation meeting of Northern Rivers councils in February 2017, and has since evolved into a coordinated approach to information sharing, partnership building and collective action across the Network.
Today, the Network brings together councils, community groups, environmental organisations, government agencies, researchers and wildlife carers to support koala conservation across the region. The Network meets every two months to share information and coordinate action.
“The Network recognised early on that koala conservation needs to happen across boundaries, not within them,” said Angie Brace, Regional Koala Officer at Friends of the Koala.
“It has helped build strong partnerships and practical collaboration across the region.”
While important progress has been made in habitat protection and community engagement, koalas continue to face ongoing pressures from habitat loss, climate change, vehicle strikes, dog attacks and disease.
“Koalas are still under significant pressure, but working together gives us the best chance of making a real difference,” Angie said.
Looking ahead, the Network will continue focusing on partnership building, habitat restoration and coordinated conservation action to support long-term koala survival in the Northern Rivers.
The Northern Rivers Koala Network thanks all past and present members, partners and supporters for their contribution to regional koala conservation over the past decade.
