Port Stephens Koala Hospital (PSKH) is strengthening its koala conservation efforts thanks to a recent koala feed tree donation from Forestry Corporation of NSW.

The koala hospital (PSKH) plays a vital role in caring for and rehabilitating injured koalas in the Port Stephens region, which is home to one of the state’s most important koala populations.

Over the past five years, Forestry Corporation has donated more than 10,000 feed tree seedlings to the hospital.

This year, the hospital has just received 2,600 seedlings grown from seed at Forestry Corporation’s Grafton nursery.

PSKH General Manager Karen Varker said the seedlings will be planted and cultivated to support koala feed tree programs.

“Every koala in our care relies on access to around approximately 1,000 trees for feed and habitat, so this donation from Forestry Corporation is greatly appreciated,” Ms Varker said.

“Port Stephens Koala Hospital is committed to increasing and growing its work in plantations for koala feed trees and we have planted over 8,000 trees to date across a number of plantations.

“The donations that the Forestry Corporation have contributed are vital to our work in this area and we are grateful for the continued support in this important work around koala conservation.”

Forestry Corporation Partnerships Leader Alex Capararo said the donated seedlings include primary koala feed tree species forest red gum, grey gum and tallowwood.

“This initiative represents a strong collaborative effort, drawing on the propagation expertise of eucalyptus species at the Forestry Corporation Nursery in Grafton to supply these essential trees,” Mr Capararo said.

“These plantings play a critical role in the conservation and care of koalas, and we are proud to support and contribute to the outstanding work of the Port Stephens Koala Hospital.”

As the land manager for NSW State Forests, Forestry Corporation grows millions of seedlings each year to plant in softwood and hardwood plantations.