Barbara Linley, a passionate conservationist in Tullymorgan, New South Wales, made a surprising discovery on her farm: a thriving population of wild koalas. However, their habitat was severely threatened by lantana, an aggressive invasive species covering approximately 80% of her property.
Recognizing the urgent need for action, Linley partnered with the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia (WWF) to combat the lantana infestation and restore the koalas' natural environment. This collaboration is part of a broader project encouraging private conservation agreements in the Northern Rivers region, aimed at protecting crucial koala habitats.
Through a private conservation agreement, Linley secured funding to clear the invasive lantana, which not only hinders koala movement and access to food but also intensifies bushfire risks. Her efforts have revealed a 500-year-old eucalypt tree previously hidden by the dense weed. Linley's commitment extends beyond koalas; she also safeguards endangered coastal emus on a second property, employing cool burning techniques with First Nations experts to promote biodiversity and reduce fire hazards.