Updates from Nimbin, our koala corridor project
We are excited to share with you the results of our third-year monitoring assessment from our Nimbin project on Widjabul Country, NSW.
If you’ve been following this project for the last four years, you may already be familiar with this 33-hectare ecological restoration project that will provide a wildlife corridor linking remnant bushland between two national parks. Our goal is to restore the site to a thriving forest, increasing habitat for a range of endangered species (including, you guessed it – the koala), improving biodiversity, and encouraging natural regeneration.
If our third-year monitoring results are anything to go by, we are smashing it out of the park thanks to the support of our planting partners Sam and Jason from Future Forests and the incredible generosity of our donors, both individuals and businesses, who support this critical work.
If you’re new to Carbon Positive Australia and our work, check out our Nimbin project here and discover why this project is noted as critical here (hint: it’s kind of a big deal).
Let’s take a look at our progress over the years
May 2023: A biodiversity survey revealed some exciting findings.
• Koalas spotted: Confirmed presence of koalas on-site.
• Threatened species identified: More than 30 threatened flora and fauna species were found within a 10km radius.
November 2023: Our second annual monitoring assessment highlighted incredible tree survival and growth.
• 97% survival rate of planted trees, proving their resilience.
From seedlings to success…rounding out our third-year monitoring results with incredible progress
In November 2024, our third annual monitoring assessment revealed even more progress:
• Trees across all plots showed signs of excellent health, with only Plot 2 receiving a rating below 5 (4.98).
• Tree height has increased by 94% since planting, with an average height now at 2.21m.
• Tree density remains strong, with an average of 2,142 trees per hectare, including both planted seedlings and natural regeneration.
• Minimal pest damage, with a 95% decrease compared to the 2023 assessment.
• Excellent biodiversity, with an average of 24 different species per plot, boosting ecological resilience.
What’s next for 2025 and beyond?
Third time might be the charm, but we like to keep things steady, like the four seasons. This year will mark our fourth year of monitoring, where we will measure progress and determine if additional infill planting is needed.
Comprehensive monitoring will continue annually for six years post-initial planting through to 2027.
This project is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together. The success to date wouldn’t have been possible without all of us coming together to achieve these outcomes. A big thank you to everyone who has played a role in restoring this vital koala corridor. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this already thriving ecosystem.
If you’d like to read more, please access our most recent monitoring report below.
