A powerful citizen science program to protect koalas

This citizen science program is a collaborative effort between People For Nature and OWAD Environment, combining community-driven action with expertise in Koala conservation research.

Together, we empower local communities to lead state-of-the art applied Koala research studies that enable effective conservation and strategic restoration of habitats.

We provide participants with the tools, the knowledge and the support systems for local communities to become true custodians of their local Koala populations and recover the iconic species.

🧬Non-invasive sampling

Participants non-invasively sample their local koalas by collecting scat (koala droppings). Sample kits and instructions are provided.

DNA is then isolated from the scat and subjected to key tests to obtain each Koala’s unique genetic profile, its sex, identify the key pathogens it carries, its recent diet, etc. If participants provide contact details, they will receive the individual results of the koala(s) they sampled.

Regional Analysis

Once a region has been sufficiently sampled, all data is analysed to uncover the status of the Koala in the region: current Koala population structure, migration rates, disease distribution and prevalence, etc.

We highlight which vital processes are still functional and need conserving, and what needs restoring or addressing to recover the local populations and prevent further losses.

🐨Why is this a game-changer for koala conservation?

In order to secure the species, all Koala populations that persist today urgently need to be identified and described – but this has not been done yet across much of Eastern Australia.

Indeed, you can’t protect what hasn’t been formally ‘put on the map’! Building on the collaborative effort by many individuals, organisations and community groups from Victoria to Queensland, OWAD spent many years adapting Koala genetic technologies for public participation.

This model is now extensively proven, highly effective, and consistently shown to be very compatible with citizen-science. People For Nature will take this model to scale and empower local communities across Eastern Australia to map their own local Koala populations, so these can be adequately protected and recovered.

This enables local communities and the public to be not merely a powerful ally, but the formal custodians of their local Koala populations. Armed with the right tools, knowledge and information, local communities can then:

✔️ Perform ongoing scientific monitoring of local Koala populations.

✔️ Report the data back to relevant governments, and demand:

– improved government decisions

– funding for targeted actions by community groups in targeted areas

✔️ Collaborating with neighbours to conserve, enhance or restore wildlife corridors in priority areas.

✔️ Make well-informed decisions on their own lands

..And much more.

Examples of Impact

Here are some recent koala studies completed by local communities:

👉 SEQ Scenic Rim Koala study report:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389609282_Scenic_Rim_2024_Koala_population_study

👉 SEQ Darling Downs region:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387145707_Darling_Downs_2024_Koala_population_study

👉 QLD Inland Burnett region:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387146412_Inland_Burnett_2024_Koala_population_study_report

👉 NSW Hunter region:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387149541_Port_Stephens_2024_Koala_population_study_repor

These reports highlight the transformative impact of citizen science in koala conservation.

Want to help?

Your donation will support our community-driven koala genetic monitoring program. By empowering people power, we collect vital data to protect koalas and their habitats. Every dollar is used efficiently to maximise conservation impact.

Every contribution counts

👉 https://empowering-people-to-save-the-koala.raiselysite.com