Latest news with #WWFAustralia
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Drivers warned after 'heartbreaking' find next to road at Aussie tourist town
Australians are once again being urged to slow down when driving through known koala habitats, after a previously rescued five-year-old female was struck and killed along a notorious stretch of road on the east coast. Wildlife advocates say the animal is the second to be killed in Bangalow, just outside Byron Bay in the New South Wales Northern Rivers region, in recent times. The death is particularly concerning to rescuers, with the area down to just a couple hundred individuals, according to recent estimates. Since European colonisation, koala habitat in Australia has been devastated, with approximately 29 million hectares (54 per cent) of forests and woodlands destroyed in NSW alone. Even in recent years, deforestation has continued at an alarming pace. In 2020, 53,800 hectares of vital koala habitat were lost to logging and development, with the animals' population taking a further hit during the 2019-2020 bushfires, in which up to 19 million hectares were burnt. A WWF-Australia assessment estimated approximately 8,400 koalas died on the NSW mid-north coast alone, representing up to 30 per cent of that region's koala population. Combined with road trauma, their numbers continue to dwindle. On Wednesday, conservationist Linda Sparrow, of Bangalow Koalas, urged drivers to take the simple step of slowing down as she shared "distressing images" of the latest fatality. "We lost another female koala this morning on Bangalow Road, just down from Old Bangalow Road, Byron Bay," she said. "There are roadworks up at the intersection of Old Bangalow Road with a 40km speed limit. Please stop speeding along this stretch; this is the second female koala killed along this stretch in recent times. Linda branded the latest fatality "heartbreaking for rescuers, heartbreaking for Byron Shire koalas" who she said "are up against the odds". "It appears both times the koalas have come under the barrier along the road and hit straight away. This koala was rescued from a swimming pool near Arkawal National Park three years ago," she added. Speaking to Yahoo News, Linda has argued the "world is watching" when it comes to koala conservation, and implored governments and the public to rise to the challenge and take action. "I can't imagine a world where there are no koalas. We have to step up and we have to protect them, because by protecting koalas, we're actually helping all of us," she said recently. It comes amid continual warnings that koalas are facing extinction in NSW by 2050. Linda is currently embarking on a bold mission to repopulate the area with trees, in a bid to create a "koala corridor" — an interconnected network of habitat where koalas can roam freely and safely, far from the threat of humans. In May, she hit the incredible milestone of 450,000 trees planted. Spanning 161 plantings across 121 properties in seven local shires, the community-driven initiative has become one of the region's most impactful conservation efforts. With just thousands of trees remaining to hit the half-a-million mark by the end of the year, Bangalow Koalas is calling on individuals, communities, and corporate sponsors to "help us cross the finish line". Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Time Business News
29-06-2025
- General
- Time Business News
How to Choose the Perfect Charity Gift in Australia for Every Occasion
Gift-giving is an age-old tradition that connects people through celebration, appreciation, and love. But in a world increasingly aware of sustainability, ethics, and social impact, many Australians are choosing more meaningful ways to give. Enter: charity gifts in Australia—presents that give twice, offering both a thoughtful gesture to your recipient and tangible support to someone in need. Whether it's a birthday, holiday, wedding, or a simple thank-you, a well-chosen charity gift speaks volumes about your values and your connection to the recipient. In this guide, we'll explore how to select the perfect charity gift for every occasion and why this growing trend is transforming the art of gifting. Charity gifts are donations made on behalf of someone else, usually accompanied by a symbolic token or certificate. These gifts support a range of causes such as education, healthcare, animal welfare, environmental conservation, and humanitarian aid. Many Australian charities now offer curated gift programs—often with options like: Feeding a family Planting trees Providing school supplies for children Funding medical treatment or clean water Supporting mental health services You can often choose from physical cards, e-gift certificates, or even unique fair-trade items that directly benefit artisans or producers. The rise of charity gifts in Australia isn't a coincidence. It reflects a broader cultural shift toward conscious consumerism, empathy, and environmental responsibility. Reducing waste : Charity gifts avoid unnecessary packaging and unwanted items : Charity gifts avoid unnecessary packaging and unwanted items Creating lasting impact : The money spent goes directly to life-changing causes : The money spent goes directly to life-changing causes Offering personalization : Gifts can be tailored to reflect the recipient's values : Gifts can be tailored to reflect the recipient's values Tax benefits : Most charity donations in Australia are tax-deductible : Most charity donations in Australia are tax-deductible Social value: It's a great way to spread awareness about important issues Let's dive into how you can tailor charity gifts in Australia for each special event or milestone. Birthdays are ideal for charity gifts, especially when the person 'has everything.' Instead of a novelty mug or a pair of socks, choose a gift that reflects their interests. Ideas: Sponsor an endangered animal for an animal lover (WWF Australia or Australian Koala Foundation) Donate school supplies in their name (The Smith Family) Fund music lessons for underprivileged children for a musician friend Tip: Pair the donation with a customized card that explains the impact of their gift. Many modern couples request donations instead of traditional wedding gifts, aligning with a minimalist or ethical lifestyle. Ideas: Provide clean water to a remote village Fund women's shelters or domestic violence recovery programs Support community housing or refugee services Some platforms even allow couples to set up a dedicated fundraising page guests can contribute to. Top Australian charities offering wedding gift options: Oxfam Unwrapped Australian Red Cross Habitat for Humanity Australia Charity gifts are perfect for the holiday season—especially when you want to avoid commercialism and instead emphasize generosity and goodwill. Ideas: Give a goat, chicken, or pig to a family in a developing country (TEAR Australia or Plan International) Donate a food hamper to a struggling Australian family (Foodbank Australia) Gift a warm bed for a homeless person on Christmas Eve (The Salvation Army) Bonus: Many charities offer festive e-gift cards or physical tree ornaments that symbolize the gift. For couples who cherish shared values, a charity gift that reflects their love for people, animals, or the planet is incredibly romantic. Ideas: Adopt a coral reef or plant a tree in their name Contribute to a project supporting Indigenous communities Sponsor a classroom in a developing country Match the cause to a shared passion you both believe in. Celebrate academic milestones with charity gifts that promote education, literacy, or youth empowerment. Ideas: Sponsor a student's education for a year Fund access to technology or books for rural schools Support mental health initiatives for teenagers These gifts carry a powerful message of paying it forward. Move beyond flowers and ties with meaningful gestures. Ideas: Give livestock or farming tools to a mother in need (symbolic of a hardworking mum) Fund a health check or vaccination for a child Support a charity that provides parental support services in Australia Add a heartfelt note to make the impact personal and emotional. Many businesses are now opting for charity gifts in Australia as part of their social responsibility strategies. These gifts are not only tax-efficient but also boost brand goodwill. Ideas: Donate on behalf of clients or employees during the holidays Give fair-trade gifts sourced from ethical cooperatives Offer e-gift cards that let recipients choose their preferred cause Organizations like Good2Give and Karma Currency provide platforms to facilitate corporate donations. Not all charities are created equal. Ensure that your gift will truly make a difference by selecting a reputable organization. Transparency : Does the charity show where the money goes? : Does the charity show where the money goes? Registration : Are they a registered Australian charity (ACNC)? : Are they a registered Australian charity (ACNC)? Impact reports : Do they publish data or stories showing real outcomes? : Do they publish data or stories showing real outcomes? Ethical alignment: Do their values match yours or the recipient's? Check out platforms like: ACNC Charity Register ChangePath Personalize it : Attach a card or email that explains what the donation supports : Attach a card or email that explains what the donation supports Give options : Let recipients choose from a list of causes : Let recipients choose from a list of causes Keep timing in mind : Some gifts, like food or emergency relief, are more impactful seasonally : Some gifts, like food or emergency relief, are more impactful seasonally Share the impact: Send a follow-up note or email when the charity shares updates One of the most beautiful aspects of giving charity gifts in Australia is the ripple effect. Not only does your gift directly benefit a person, animal, or community—it often inspires the recipient and others to adopt more conscious gifting habits. From reducing waste to solving real-world problems, each act of generosity makes the world a bit brighter. Charity gifts are no longer niche — they're the future of meaningful, ethical, and impactful giving. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or simply showing appreciation, there's a charity gift perfectly suited for every occasion. So the next time you reach for a gift catalog or shop online, pause for a moment. Could your money do more? Could your gift change a life? In Australia, the answer is yes—and it starts with giving from the heart. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Guardian
09-06-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘High density' area of endangered species left out of NSW great koala national park plan, advocates say
Forest advocates say an important area that is home to endangered koalas and southern greater gliders has been left out of the Minns government's assessment for its proposed great koala national park in northern New South Wales. WWF-Australia, the National Parks Association of NSW and community forest groups from the mid-north coast region have urged the state's environment minister, Penny Sharpe, to consider including the 528ha area in the promised park after recent drone surveys detected a 'high density' of threatened species. The area sits within the Bollanolla Range, north-west of Valla Beach and within the Newry state forest. The section of forest was not part of the state government's assessment of 176,000 ha for potential inclusion in the new national park because it had not been formally gazetted as state forest when the assessment area was determined. Calls to include the area come amid frustration among conservationists and scientists at the length of time it is taking the Minns government to declare the park's boundaries and deliver the main environmental commitment it took to the 2023 election. Logging has continued within areas assessed for the proposed park and there has been growing anger within the conservation community about convictions recorded by the state logging agency for breaches of environmental conditions. WWF-Australia and the National Parks Association funded drone surveys that were conducted within the Bollanolla area on three nights in March and April. The groups said the surveys detected 10 koalas, five southern greater gliders and two squirrel gliders, which suggested the area supported a 'high density of threatened species'. 'There is no doubt the Bollanolla block in Newry State Forest should be included in the great koala national park,' said Grahame Douglas, president of the Coffs Harbour branch of the National Parks Association. 'These surveys demonstrate that Bollanolla is an exceptional hotspot of biodiversity, with confirmed sightings of many threatened species that depend on intact forest, including greater, yellow-bellied and squirrel gliders, koala and sooty owl.' The groups said the surveys built on existing work by government ecologists that found the presence of yellow-bellied and southern greater gliders suggested there was an 'adequate array' of hollow-bearing trees – considered a rare commodity in north-east coastal forests. They said the Bollanolla Range, which largely escaped the 2019-20 black summer fires, was known for potential habitat for up to 40 threatened species, and its elevation and gullies provided a refuge for species sensitive to rising temperatures. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email WWF-Australia conservation scientist Dr Stuart Blanch said the area 'is a rare patch of mature coastal forest at risk of logging'. 'It should be protected in the great koala national park, and should have been assessed by the NSW government,' he said. A NSW government spokesperson said 'the creation of a great koala national park was one of our key election commitments and we will deliver it soon'. 'The assessment process is at an advanced stage but is ongoing,' they said. '176,000 hectares of state forest is being assessed for possible protection as part of the comprehensive assessment process which takes into account environmental, economic, social, ecological and cultural issues. The final area will be added to existing national parks and reserves.'
