
By Sally McNiece
I SIT on the balcony of my in-laws’ place in Inverloch and I can nearly touch the koala in the large remnant narrow leaf peppermint tree before me. This koala comes often as this tree makes up part of its dwindling habitat. The property is quarter of an acre, a formerly standard urban block, but there is nothing standard in the species diversity it holds. If there was a grading system for private citizens’ contribution to our urban forest these guys would be top of the class, gold stars all round, but currently the only assessment of their contribution to our community are the dozens of native flora and fauna species this property supports.
I SIT on the balcony of my in-laws’ place in Inverloch and I can nearly touch the koala in the large remnant narrow leaf peppermint tree before me. This koala comes often as this tree makes up part of its dwindling habitat. The property is quarter of an acre, a formerly standard urban block, but there is nothing standard in the species diversity it holds. If there was a grading system for private citizens’ contribution to our urban forest these guys would be top of the class, gold stars all round, but currently the only assessment of their contribution to our community are the dozens of native flora and fauna species this property supports.