Koala corridors in Curlewis under way

The quiet achievers have actively participated in a number of landcare programs and have planted more than 2000 trees at Calala over the past six years.

Mrs Fulwood said they first started thinking about tree planting when they noticed their cattle attacking and killing koalas if they ventured too close.

"We thought if we could make a corridor, it would stop them going over to the cattle," she said.

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Much of Calala is cleared so tree corridors can also be used to connect remnant areas of vegetation and will "hopefully encourage more diversity of wildlife to come".

"Another reason is that in the old tree clumps, there are no young trees and if the old trees die, we won't have any there," Mr Fulwood said.

The most recent initiative the Fulwoods have been involved in is the Office of Environment and Heritage's Saving Our Species Iconic Koala Habitat Project.

The aim of the project is to create koala habitat to ensure the mammal's survival.

The farmers have already planted 450 trees this year and are waiting until more stock is available in spring so they can plant 850 more.

The recent rains make it an ideal time to plant so they will get started earlier if bulk stock becomes available ahead of time.

"We have light country out here so a little bit of rain does go a long way," Mrs Fulwood said.

The couple plant trees that are ideal for koala feed and also shelter, and would like to put in some bottlebrushes to attract more birds. They also have koala water drinkers in some of their established trees.

Mrs Fulwood said they have probably lost about 20 per cent of their young trees to damage from feral pigs and overzealous cockatoos, but dedicated watering for the first year has ensured the survival of most.

"It is a bit of hard work but it is rewarding. We're very lucky we can do that," she said.

The koala habitat project in the Liverpool region is overseen by Tamworth Regional Landcare's Penny Milson who says five landholders in Emerald Hill, Curlewis and Mary's Mount have been on board.

She said while most of the planting had been on hold because of the ongoing drought, most of the landholders involved were now " quite confident they have the soil profile moisture they need to plant".

"Landholders have done planning and preparation in regards to tree species; what might be suitable for their soils and foster biodiversity and provide quality koala shelter," Ms Milson said.

"There is a significant amount of cost. They need to do fencing, ripping, spraying the corridor ... it is a reasonable responsibility."

Ms Milson said some horticulture students would help some landholders with tree planting through Jobs Australia.

"We know trees provide windbreaks, shelter for stock, for the integrity of our soils, prevention of erosion and dryland salinity. These types of issues can help arrest by planting more trees," she said.

"Trees, along with ground cover, put carbon in the soil. There's a growing recognition that we need to put carbon in the soil. The more carbon, the more it can hold water. In a way, we can help to drought-proof ourselves by putting carbon in the soil."

Ms Milson said there will be a second round of OEH funding this year, focusing on "habitat restoration for Gunnedah koalas".