More than simply a cute and iconic Australian symbol, koalas are also a sign of healthy bushland and functioning ecosystems. When koalas thrive, it’s a good sign that the land around them is too.

Unfortunately, their habitats have been under growing pressure due to bushfires, land clearing and development – reducing the spaces koalas depend on to survive and putting their populations at a risk. In 2025, a record amount of vital koala habitat was approved for clearing under national environmental laws – more than in any other year since the species was officially listed as threatened.

To restore healthy koala populations, the Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation group and local volunteers have been working to rebuild wildlife corridors and protect one of Australia’s most well-known and globally loved animals.

Since 2019, more than 100,000 indigenous trees and shrubs have gone into the ground, including over 25,000 in 2025 alone.

Their planting efforts are helping create safer, more connected spaces where koalas can once again thrive. The group has also benefitted from a grant from Planet Ark's Seedling Bank to support that effort, increasing koala habitat and local biodiversity.

Koalas are typically selective with the type of trees they rely on, which is a specific small range of eucalypt species for food and shelter. On the Mornington Peninsula, that include key species like Coastal Manna Gums (Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana) which are a favourite food tree of koalas.

Planting habitat for koalas starts with choosing the right trees for your area. Check which eucalypt species are suitable by referring to the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Koala Tree Area Map.

The group has several planting events coming up in the lead up to National Tree Day. Keep an eye out for upcoming events on the National Tree Day website.