The restoration of legally protected native forests can lead to exciting discoveries within our projects. At Greenfleet’s Strzelecki Nature Link, we recently confirmed that Strzelecki koalas are calling the forest home. Endemic to the region and descending from Victoria’s original koala gene pool, these are koalas that have not been translocated from other regions and may hold key insights into the survival of koalas in other parts of Australia.
Greenfleet plants locally native tree species to restore the ecosystems that existed before the land was cleared. At the Strzelecki Nature Link, we’re restoring nearly 40 different species to create a legally protected, 3.5 kilometre habitat corridor for koalas, as well as birds and many other species. As the forest grows, we will continuously monitor the project to understand how it is benefitting the local wildlife.
This koala (pictured) was photographed by our Revegetation team at our Wurneet Laang Laang forest. Wurneet Laang Laang is the most established of the four forests that make up our Strzelecki Nature Link project.
The Strzelecki Nature Link Story
The Strzelecki Nature Link is a long-term project creating a contiguous habitat corridor for koalas and other wildlife on Boonwurrung Country in South Gippsland, Victoria. The four properties that make up the Nature Link are restoring ecosystems on previously cleared land. It began in 2016 with Greenfleet’s revegetation of Wurneet Laang Laang, and we have since been progressively restoring the adjoining properties of Territory, Mt Emily and Bromfields Road. Together they cover almost 200 hectares, with the Lang Lang River running through the project.
By planting locally native species and legally protecting these forests for 100 years, Greenfleet is delivering ongoing environmental and ecological benefits to the region.
The Unique Strzelecki Koala
Strzelecki koalas descend from Victoria’s original koala gene pool. Endemic to South Gippsland and having not been translocated from other parts of Australia, their survival may provide key insights into the species, especially as they are now endangered in Queensland, NSW and the ACT.
In 2024, Greenfleet engaged researcher Kelly Smith, and with Laura Oakley and Fred the koala detection dog (pictured), they investigated which species of koala resided in Wurneet Laang Laang.
Laura and Fred joined our Deputy CEO, Annabel O’Neill, in the forest on a cool morning in April to source koala scat that would be instrumental in determining the species in the forest. Fred executed his role perfectly, successfully finding many samples that were collected and dried out, ready for the genetic analysis.
Excitingly, the results confirmed a female Strzelecki koala was residing in the forest. This means that her origin is from South Gippsland and that she has not been translocated from French Island, Raymond Island or Phillip Island. The finding provides insight into the species’ migration and solidifies the importance of habitat restoration for koalas and other native wildlife.
Expanding Biodiversity Within The Strzelecki Nature Link
Due to its location and scale, the Strzelecki Nature Link is providing several opportunities to understand how it is growing biodiversity and supporting our native wildlife. As well as providing critical habitat to koalas, some of the biodiversity outcomes and research going on in the forest include
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Birdlife
Read moreOngoing studies have shown significant increases of native birds returning to Wurneet Laang Laang as the forest establishes.Thriving birdlife is a key indicator of biodiversity restoration of an area.
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Nesting boxes
Read MoreSmall mammals and birds rely on tree hollows to nest and breed. As these hollows can take decades to form, Greenfleet has installed 48 nesting boxes, providing instant homes for our wildlife.
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Endangered Eucalypt
Read MoreThe Strzelecki gum (Eucalyptus strzeleckii) is an endangered species found only in South Gippsland. By planting this species at our Strzelecki Nature Link, we are bolstering its prevalence in the region.
Greenfleet’s restoration of the Strzelecki Nature Link is ongoing, with planting continuing over the coming years. While planting native trees is an important step in ecosystem restoration, the project is legally protected for 100 years and will undergo ongoing monitoring to ensure it develops into a biodiverse, resilient forest.
Our commitment to the Strzelecki koala, and all wildlife at Strzelecki Nature Link, is supported with regular on the ground and arial inspections. We are excited to see the continued development of flora and fauna within the Nature Link as the project progresses.