HOW TO CELEBRATE WILD KOALA DAY 3 MAY 2020

HOW TO CELEBRATE WILD KOALA DAY - 3rd May 2020

Official Wild Koala Day 2020 Logo - Used with permission. http://www.wildkoaladay.com.au/

Founded in 2016, Wild Koala Day returns in 2020 as a program of national community events, made possible through the collaboration of organisations and individuals committed to the conservation of wild koalas, and the education & empowerment of their human neighbours.  This year in 2020, however the organisers have had to "think out of the box" with the current Covid19 restrictions in-place, and so some creative ideas have been put together as a way to still celebrate and support wild koalas in Australia.

Toowoomba Koala and Wildlife Rescue are proud to be a part of this event and we have compiled some of our own suggestions as well as those from the World Koala Day Committee below that you can easily do from home to feel like you are participating.

Wild Koala photographed in the Meringandan Region, Toowoomba. C/- Toowoomba Koala and Wildlife Rescue

5 WAYS HOW TO CELEBRATE WILD KOALA DAY 2020 FROM HOME

1. SHARE THIS POST or these suggestions from Wild Koala Day on Social Media, use the tag #wildkoaladay on Instagram.  If you are lucky enough to see a wild koala in your area - please photograph it and share on social media and add the sighting to Koalatracker.com.au, otherwise share photos you have taken in the past.
2. WEAR A GUMLEAF - Gum leaves are the perfect symbol for Wild Koala Day: they are biodegradable, 100% natural and critical to koala survival. If you are lucky enough to have access to a gum tree in your property or your local area, you can collect one and pin it to your shirt. Alternatively you can  print and make your own gum-leaf here:  http://www.wildkoaladay.com.au/kids-activities/make-your-own-gum-leaf/
3. PLAN TO PLANT A TREE - Planting a koala food tree and taking care of it after you have done so, is a wonderful way to ensure the survival of our local koalas on private land.  We have compiled a list of the local koala food trees for the Toowoomba Region.  Please note that koala food tree favorites vary greatly from region to region, so it is always best to check with your local native nursery, or local wildlife rehabilitator for the accurate species for your region.  Please be mindful that large eucalyptus trees are not really suitable for planting in a city property, so instead, join a local environmental group and participate in their next tree planting activities.  More info here: https://www.toowoombakoalarescue.org/updates/plan-to-plant-a-koala-tree-in-toowoomba-region
4. DECORATE KOALA CUPCAKES - A great activity with the kids is to bake and decorate some koala themed cupcakes - photograph them and share on social media!  Check out our full tried and tested recipe HERE. 
5. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL KOALA RESCUE GROUP & WILDLIFE VET'S- Supporting your local volunteer koala rescue and rehabilitation group or local wildlife hospital or wildlife vet can make a world of difference.  All over North Eastern & Southern Australia in areas where Koalas are found, there are rescue groups doing what they can on a volunteer basis, to help save and preserve koalas and their habitat.  Supporting your local group can include the following simple options:  Follow them on social media and share and positively comment on their posts, make a small donation towards koala rehabilitation, or attend any of their upcoming events.  Follow Toowoomba Koala & Wildlife Rescue on Facebook Here and my personal Wildlife Instagram Here,  Follow Wild Koala Day on Facebook Here

For full list of official Wild Koala Day Activities please visit: http://www.wildkoaladay.com.au/

Happy Wild Koala Day 2020

Thankyou for your ongoing support of Koalas in the Toowoomba Region.

Judi Gray
Toowoomba Koala and Wildlife Rescue