2021-01-18 GC - Item 1 - Attachment 1 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation 2019 20 Annual Report

                                                    NOOSA BIOSPHERE RESERVE FOUNDATION – 2019/20




Koala Forever Noosa: Securing the future of wild koalas and wild koala eco-tourism in
the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.


The Koala Forever Noosa project aimed to                    Outcomes
determine whether vegetation connectivity                   Specific objectives of the project are to establish:
translates to koala connectivity to ensure safe                • Whether existing vegetation corridors are
movement of koalas across the landscape.                             being utilised by koalas
                                                               • Key connected koala populations suitable
Led by leading koala researcher, Dr Celine Frere,                    for long-term non-invasive monitoring
in partnership with WWF Australia and Noosa                          and management
Parks Association (NPA), this project focused on               • Key locations for restoring koala and
vegetation corridors within the Noosa Biosphere                      vegetation connectivity
Reserve, as well as informing the potential                    • Key locations for sustainable wild koala
establishment of a functional corridor extending                     eco-tourism and recreation
beyond the biosphere – Brisbane to Fraser Coast.
                                                            Status
The project contributes to a broader                        USC submitted their final report on 30 October
understanding of corridors that are important to            2020. NBRF and USC are continuing to work
koalas in Noosa seeking to inform conservation              together to develop an ecotourism blueprint.
management and future eco-tourism ventures.
Having completed the Mapping Koala Health                   Reports
study determining koala distribution across the             Noosa Biosphere Koala Forever Noosa – Final
Noosa Biosphere Reserve, the project will build on          Report, Dr Celine Frere, USC
this knowledge to support practical solutions for
management of important vegetation corridors                Proponent
for koalas. Recognising the importance of habitat,          University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
and connection of populations for genetic
exchange, this project will deliver practical               Project Partners
conservation outcomes as well as opportunities              WWF Australia, Noosa Parks Association
for wild koala eco-tourism.


                                                  PROJECT VALUE
       NBRF FUNDING               CASH & IN-KIND             PROJECT VALUE                  LEVERAGE
          $40,000                     $90,000                     $130,000                      3:1




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