Koala Conservation Day - Has Ended
DO Details
Enjoy a day in the outdoors, connecting with nature and helping Koalas.
Help us save wild koalas in the You Yangs and the Western Plains
Create koala habitat & learn about koalas.
Meet others who are passionate about Australian Wildlife.
Participate in wild koala research and meet famous wild koalas.
Search for koalas, take walks through bushland with naturalists and remove weeds and plant trees for koala habitat in the company of a highly experienced Koala Researcher.
Want to help but live far away? We need your support to run these days. See the FAQ's below for information about how you can help from a distance.
Part of the day is spent assisting our Koala Researcher to find wild koalas in their natural habitats. Your researcher will show you techniques to find wild animals in the Australian Bush. Once found, each koala is photographed, GPS located, their behaviour and tree species noted. Most of the koalas in the area are known to the researchers – some for many years – and all are part of our 16 year citizen-science Koala Research Project. Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours & Wildlife Research and Koala Clancy Foundation use natural nose markings to identify the koalas without touching them – this method was discovered by Janine Duffy, owner of Echidna Walkabout in 1998 and is now being used by koala groups all over Australia.
Koala habitat improvement takes up about 1.5 hours of the day. Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) is an Invasive Weed of National Significance. Wild koalas in the You Yangs avoid areas thickly infested with Boneseed, so by removing the weed we make areas suitable for koalas. Weeding is easy, chemical-free, and requires no special tools or equipment.
On some days (mostly June to August) we plant koala trees, other days we maintain and prepare for tree planting.
During tree planting time we may not always have time to visit the park and see koalas.
As important as the koalas themselves is their environment. We break the weeding with walks through the koala habitat, observing birds, kangaroos, wallabies and other mammals and reptiles, and discover plants that are important to koalas.
Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours & Wildlife Research are a mission-driven social enterprise. Koala Clancy Foundation (set up by Echidna Walkabout) is a not for profit incorporated association.
The meeting place for the day is Little River Hotel (Pub) 10/14 Flinders St, Little River at 9:00am, we will then travel as a group to our research area in the You Yangs. Note - Please do NOT go straight to the You Yangs.
Transport tickets purchase includes transport from Melbourne. The meeting place is The Holiday Inn on Flinders Lane. Pick up time is 8:10am. Please arrive before 8:10am. We may not be able to wait for you if you are running late.
FAQs
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
Transport is available, please book the ticket that includes transport. The meeting place is the Holiday Inn on Flinders Lane at 8:10am. Please arrive before 8:10am as we do not have too much time to wait if you are running late.
Those driving themselves please meet at Little River Hotel (Pub) 10/14 Flinders St, Little River at 9:00am
What should I bring?
Drinking water, packed lunch, binoculars, camera, gardening gloves, sunscreen, insect repellant and a watch or phone (something to keep time while watching a koala). Gumboots are highly recommended during on Tree Planting Days (June to August).
Can I participate more than once?
Yes! You can become a member of Koala Clancy Foundation which entitles you to unlimited participation to conservation days. Click TICKETS to see this option. If you are a full time student visit https://www.koalaclancyfoundation.org.au/ to see student membership options.
How can I support from far away?
These days can only run thanks to the generosity of people like you. Your donations are very much appreciated. For $600 you can sponsor the whole day. For $100 you can sponsor a volunteer to plant trees on your behalf. For $50 you can pay for 10 trees. Click TICKETS for these options.
Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Please email us if you have any questions: info@koalaclancyfoundation.org.au
03 9646 8249
Can I update my registration information?
Please email us if your contact details change.
What is the refund policy?
Your ticket is non-refundable.
Are children welcome?
Yes, children of 5 years and over who are able to be quiet around the koalas and enjoy being in the bush are welcome to join but must be accompanied by an adult.
Can I bring my dog/cat/pet?
No, pets are not allowed.
