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WITH the forecast of rain and thunderstorms this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, organisers of the koala tree planting day at Nombi have made the decision to postpone the event.
Organiser James Rees said details of the future planting will be announced once it is rescheduled.
Story published on March 5:
IT may be an ambitious target, but James Rees and a group of volunteers are determined to plant 800 trees in one day at Nombi, near Mullaley next Saturday to help give the local koala population a fighting chance.
Based in Sydney with a background as an ecologist, Mr Rees recently spent time in the area at Nick and Alex Anderson's property "Newstead" on Wyuna Road.
"I was up there at the property about a year ago, visiting one of my mates from high school who's married into the family," he said.
"I got chatting to Nick and he was really interested in what they could do along this degraded creek line which historically has been cleared and overgrazed.
"He's right into regenerative agriculture and wanted to do something about it and see if they could restore it."
Inspired to create change, a proposal was then put to Landcare Australia, and the group were successful in gaining a small grant which allowed them to plant 500 trees in November last year, kicking off the creek line rehabilitation project.
All trees were grown by Mr Rees, through seeds he collected from the remnant trees along creek line, many of which were river red gums and river she-oaks.
"That was very informative for this second planting which we've planned for next Saturday, which we will do with a much larger group of volunteers," he said.
"We're hoping we get a few people along and make a bit of a fun day of it and get 800 trees in the ground.
"It's a bit of an ambitious number, but I think that we will get there and hopefully create some habitat for koalas."
They also hope to restore habitat for the regent honeyeater - a critically endangered bird that used to occur right throughout the area but hasn't been seen for several years.
"I think there was a pair recorded in the Pilliga six years ago, but they used to be recorded regularly around Coonabarabran, Barraba and all around the region," Mr Rees said.
"That's why we're hoping to create some habitat and bring them back."
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A big crew of volunteers will be involved in next Saturday's project, with everyone from ecologists, environmental scientists, farmers and landcarers coming, some of which are travelling from Sydney.
The goal is to plant 800 native trees, including 400 Eucalyptus camaldulensis which are one of the koala's absolute favourites.
They've also put the call out for volunteers to come on board to help for what will be a fun day with a barbecue and campfire to celebrate on Saturday night and pre-prepared bush camping sites available.
The tree planting day will take place on Saturday, March 13 at "Newstead" 2764 Wyuna Road, Nombi.
People are welcome to arrive on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning before 8.30am.
Contact James on 0413 228 213 to register your attendance .