SEEDLINGS FOR WILDLIFE

AFTER seeing footage of fire-affected koalas and swathes of native trees burning, owners of The Springs Garden World have decided to give back to nature with an Australia Day fundraiser.

Starting today, the Spring St store will be selling 160 eucalyptus seedlings, which can be used to rebuild natural corridors and provide a food source for local koalas.

The seedlings are $5.95 each, with $2 from each sale being donated to the Australian Koala Foundation.

The Springs Garden World co-owner Marie McEwan said the seedlings would make a perfect addition to existing native plant corridors or nature reserves.

“There’s been a lot of publicity about the koalas losing their habitats with all the native forests going,” Ms McEwan said.

“It’s been very difficult to see so much of the native bush decimated.

“We haven’t done this before, but we have promoted our native plants to attract birds and bees and butterflies - so why not go a step further.” There will be seven different species of gum trees available for purchase, including lemon scented gums.

“A lot of the trees will need space to grow, but it’s better to plant them in a group to attract native species,” Ms McEwan said.

“We’re suggesting, if people have a tiny backyard, they could perhaps purchase a plant and then donate it to Greening Australia.

“They always have planting and regeneration programs running.”

Very few animals can survive on gum leaves and koalas sleep up to 22 hours a day while digesting their meals.

They are drawn to bushland where their favourite trees are growing and only eat a few of the eucalyptus species.

Ms McEwan said the store would keep normal trading hours tomorrow and Monday.