While I look out of the window at the snow swirling round the sky, and pray for all the animals that they will all be okay this winter, I am also very mindful that in other parts of the world, summer is on its way. 

And with it the very real fear of fire, and wildfires.

I had an email yesterday from the Koala Clancy Foundation who work to ensure koalas have a future in which they can survive and thrive.   They are situated in the Western Plains of Victoria, especially around the You Yangs and Brisbane Ranges, west of Melbourne.   (Please do subscribe to their email news, if you haven’t already.)   Like many people involved in wildlife conservation, they are dreading the summer and the threat of wildfires which could cause koalas to move one step closer to extinction. 

Wildfires destroy both koala habitat and their food source.    The Millennium Drought, the 2006 Anakie Bushfire, Black Saturday 2009, and Black Summer 2019/2020 and the Grampians bushfires all feature in this century alone. What have they done to wildlife, livestock, pets, and people?  To their habitats, their homes and food sources?   To their health and wellbeing? 

There are times – many times – in reading the news about wildlife conservation, habitat loss, fires, droughts, deliberate fires, deforestation etc etc etc, when it all just becomes too much.   But that’s the very time when if we give up, we fail.   We have to dig deep into our hearts and minds, and keep going for the sake of all the animals and people affected by them.  We have to rebuild, recover and restore, and help those living in wildfire hit areas to pick themselves up and start again. 

The Koala Clancy Foundation is on a mission to plant 300,000 koala trees by 2030.   They have hit the half way mark a year early, which is fantastic.  And they are working hard, along with their supporters and volunteers to make this happen.  Back in 2024, 864 people volunteered, making a total of 7,411 volunteers since 2014. 

So how can you help?   What if you’re not in Australia but want to help?  What can you and I do to make a difference to this iconic animals of Australia? 

The first is of course to donate to Koala Clancy Foundation’s Summer Fundraiser - they are aiming for $25,000 (that's Australian dollars) and support them as they stride out towards achieving their goal of planning 300,000 trees by 2030.  They are over half way there, so making good progress but every tree helps.   

The second thing is to set up your own wildlife water kit. These are made so that you can provide water to wildlife who live around your home so that you can help them all year round!  You can either buy one of the Foundation’s kits – or make your own!   And if you don’t live in Australia, you could always let any Australian friends you have know about these kits, or spread the message about them on social media.  The Foundation is aiming to send out 20 Wildlife Water Kits. Help Australian wildlife cope with the summer heat.

The third thing you can do is to help the Foundation reach 100 people taking action.  Everyone who donates, sets up a wildlife water kit or goes to a Koala Clancy Event will be added to a tally on the Take Action for Koalas webpage.   Again, you can also share this with a koala loving or wildlife loving friend, perhaps they’ve just been to Australia on holiday or they work out there or live there.  Take Action for Koalas here and find out all about it.

Whatever you do, please don’t do nothing at all.   Caring is one thing, but taking action makes that caring really meaningful and it will make a difference to koalas and other wildlife who need trees to survive and thrive. 

The wonderful image at the top of this blog is by David Clode.