Bangalow Koalas Reaches 400,000 Trees in the “500,000 Reasons for Hope” Project

The book is a message of hope and one that should be read by all business owners. It is a map or blueprint showing how corporate responsibility should look and how, through commercial enterprise we can make the world a better place for everyone.

Dr David Cooke has had over 35 years of experience in the corporate world and was the frst non-Japanese managing director of Konica Minolta Australia for the last eight years. Prior to that, he held management roles with Canon and Rank Xerox. He has served as the Chair of the UN Global Compact Network Australia and of The Australian Human Rights Institute Advisory Committee.

He is a public speaker and facilitates workshops through his frm ESG Advisory (esgadvisory.com.au)

You can purchase his book from www. booktopia.com.au

Bangalow Koalas has achieved an incredible milestone, planting its 400,000th tree this week as part of the 500,000 Reasons for Hope project. The milestone was reached on a property in Knockrow, in the Northern Rivers of NSW, contributing to approximately 360 hectares of reforested land across six shires since 2019.

Since its inception, Bangalow Koalas has organized 148 plantings on 114 properties, creating a powerful community-driven initiative aimed at restoring koala habitats and addressing climate change. What began as a small-scale effort has grown into a large-scale operation of environmental restoration, offering hope for koalas, ecosystems, and future generations.

Linda Sparrow, President of Bangalow target.

However, the fnal push requires additional funding. Linda is calling on businesses,

Koalas, is aiming even higher. “With the biggest threat to koalas being habitat loss, Bangalow Koalas is on a mission to plant 500,000 trees by the end of 2025,” she said. Having planted just over 400,000 trees so far, with more to come before the end of the 2024 planting season, the project is close to reaching its ambitious organisations, and individuals to help plant the remaining 90,000 trees in 2025. “Our job isn’t anywhere near fnished yet,” she says, urging the community to support the project by donating.

How You Can Help

If you’d like to support Bangalow Koalas in reaching their 500,000tree goal and contribute to the preservation of koalas and the environment, you can make a donation.

To learn more and to help fund their 2025 planting efforts, visit bangalowkoalas.com.au. Why It Matters

This project represents more than just tree planting. It’s a community-driven, hands-on response to the climate crisis, bringing together farmers, families, Indigenous groups, Landcare organisations, and businesses in a collective effort to restore ecosystems and provide hope for the future.

The impact is tangible, demonstrating to future generations that positive change is possible—and happening now.