How a community, supported by Total Environment Centre's Sydney Basin Koala Network (SBKN), is protecting wildlife habitat between Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Parks

For Lesley Hulbert, the forest behind her Kurrajong Heights home was once filled with the sounds of native wildlife.

Koalas, Gang-gang Cockatoos, wallabies and other species regularly moved through the landscape. But after the Black Summer bushfires, the forest became noticeably quieter.

In recent years, some wildlife has begun returning. But another threat is emerging across Sydney’s urban fringe: habitat fragmentation caused by development pressure.

Concerned about losing the natural connections that allow wildlife to survive, Lesley and her neighbours came together to protect an important wildlife corridor in the Hawkesbury region.

Their work was supported by Total Environment Centre’s Sydney Basin Koala Network (SBKN), which provides communities with scientific information, mapping and advocacy support to identify and protect koala habitat and wildlife corridors.

The Kurrajong Heights project focused on a vital wildlife corridor connecting Blue Mountains National Park and Wollemi National Park.

Through habitat mapping, ecological assessments and camera trap monitoring, SBKN helped landholders understand the ecological importance of their properties and identify the species relying on this connected landscape.

The findings showed the corridor supports a range of native wildlife, including:

• Koalas
• Gang-gang Cockatoos
• Lyrebirds
• Other native mammals and bird species

The assessment also identified threatened ecological communities, reinforcing the need to protect these areas from further fragmentation.

Explore SBKN’s Greater Sydney koala corridor mapping: Greater Sydney Corridor Interactive Mapping and Greater Sydney LGA Corridor Maps

Community action creating conservation outcomes

The project has already achieved an important outcome.

Nine neighbouring landholders have joined the Land for Wildlife program, helping protect approximately 40 hectares of connected habitat in Kurrajong Heights.

This community-led conservation effort demonstrates the role private landholders can play in protecting biodiversity and creating safer movement pathways for wildlife.

Local landholders, supported by scientific mapping and conservation expertise, are helping secure a wildlife corridor between two major national parks.

Why wildlife corridors matter

Wildlife corridors allow animals to move between areas of habitat to find food, shelter and breeding opportunities.

For koalas, maintaining habitat connectivity is essential. Fragmented landscapes can isolate populations, increase risks from roads and development, and reduce their ability to adapt to environmental change.

Protecting corridors also benefits communities by supporting healthier ecosystems, biodiversity and more resilient landscapes.

Total Environment Centre's Sydney Basin Koala Network

The Kurrajong Heights project is part of TEC’s broader Sydney Basin Koala Network program, which brings together community groups, landholders, scientists and advocates to protect koala habitat across the region.

SBKN works to:

• Map important koala corridors and habitat connections
• Support community-led conservation initiatives
• Provide evidence to strengthen environmental advocacy
• Advocate for stronger protection of threatened koala populations

The Kurrajong Heights corridor is a powerful example of how local action, supported by science, can create lasting outcomes for wildlife.

Featured in ABC Sydney

The Kurrajong Heights wildlife corridor story was recently featured by ABC Sydney, highlighting how local residents have united to protect nature on Sydney's urban fringe.

The coverage has helped raise awareness of both the importance of wildlife corridors and the growing pressures facing natural areas around Greater Sydney.

Related links

Sydney Basin Koala Network: Working with communities to secure wildlife corridors
https://www.sydneybasinkoalanetwork.org.au/working_with_community_to_secure_wildlife_corridors

ABC Sydney: Neighbours create 40-hectare wildlife corridor in Kurrajong Heights
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-26/neighbors-create-40-hectare-wildlife-corridor-kurrajong-heights/106780564

ABC Sydney Facebook video feature
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1009741515195172

Sydney Basin Koala Network
https://www.sydneybasinkoalanetwork.org.au

Related articles

Working with Communities to Secure Wildlife Corridors
Sydney Basin Koala Network
https://www.sydneybasinkoalanetwork.org.au/working_with_community_to_secure_wildlife_corridors

ABC Sydney: Neighbours create 40-hectare wildlife corridor in Kurrajong Heights
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-26/neighbors-create-40-hectare-wildlife-corridor-kurrajong-heights/106780564

ABC Sydney video feature
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1009741515195172

Sydney Basin Koala Network
https://www.sydneybasinkoalanetwork.org.au

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kurrajong Heights wildlife corridor?

The Kurrajong Heights wildlife corridor is a connected area of habitat linking Blue Mountains National Park and Wollemi National Park. It provides important movement pathways for koalas and other native wildlife.

Why are wildlife corridors important for koalas?

Wildlife corridors allow koalas and other species to move safely between areas of habitat to find food, shelter and breeding opportunities. Protecting connected habitat helps reduce the impacts of fragmentation caused by development and land clearing.

What role did the Sydney Basin Koala Network play in protecting this corridor?

The Sydney Basin Koala Network supported local landholders through habitat mapping, ecological assessment and community engagement to better understand the area's conservation value and identify opportunities for protection.

How is the Kurrajong Heights community helping protect koala habitat?

Nine neighbouring landholders have joined the Land for Wildlife program, helping protect approximately 40 hectares of connected habitat and contributing to the conservation of an important wildlife corridor.

How can people support koala conservation?

People can support koala conservation by learning about local wildlife corridors, supporting habitat protection initiatives and contributing to organisations working to protect threatened species and ecosystems.