KOALA BUSHLAND

In 1996 four local authorities got together and decided to work together to manage their conservation aims for the forests and parks that are all joined together in our area. So Daisy Hill, Venman, Neville Lawrence, Kimberley, Burnett and Ford Conservation areas all come under the one name  "The Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area. This 1100 ha of natural bushland borders Logan City and Redland City. Koalas don't live in one area but move up and down a corridor munching their way through tons of gum (eucalyptus) leaves. Unfortunately housing development in these corridors is causing the decline in the number of koalas. This conservation area is to provide koalas with a safe corridor and to provide the community with opportunities for nature based recreation and education.

We are so lucky to live 15 min walk to the Daisy Hill Conservation Park, which I still call the Daisy Hill Forest as it was when we first moved here. There are many trails in the forest some are for walking, some for bikes, some for horses and some are shared with everyone.

There are car parks and picnic areas with many barbecues.

I walk to the forest most mornings and then do the ring road and return home. It usually takes me an hour. Sometimes I can convince Mr B to join me. One day last week we went for a gentle walk along the Tree Discovery Trail.

I love how the morning sunlight penetrates the forest and drenches the picnic and play area.

We often come across these cute but shy wallabies (a small species of kangaroo)

However, we only see koalas occasionally. Numbers are dwindling and they sleep high up in the trees well camouflaged during the day. They feed and move from tree to tree at night. Within the conservation park there is The Daisy Hill Koala Centre, which is an educational facility and it also cares for orphaned baby koalas, often taken from the pouches of mothers who have been hit by cars or mauled by dogs.

There are so many interesting things to see in the forest, vines, grasses and

and a variety of different coloured trees. Now that summer has arrived many are shedding their bark.

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Yesterday I joined the U3A Bushwalking Club for my second time with them.

They walk for two hours at a good pace stopping only a few times for a drink of water. This is not a gentle walk.

Each week they choose a different trail. The walks are all pretty and sometimes I wish I could stop to soak up the beauty and explore nature, but I guess we are on a fitness exercise.

We were on a shared path and the cyclist were good as they got off their bikes to pass us. I was so chuffed that I could keep up with the seasoned walkers although the steep hills nearly toppled me but, no, I made it! Now I'm looking forward to next Thursday.