Here's the latest scoop from Corymbia Biodiversity Project & Banyula Conservation Reserve…
As summer comes to a close, we’re reflecting on an incredible season at Banyula! Feathertail Gliders have been thriving at our Tree Troffs, and nest box monitoring shows high occupancy rates. Evan the baby emu continues to provide insights into coastal emu movements, while a cultural ceremony honoured the return of a coastal emu to Country. We’ve expanded habitat restoration, tackled weeds, and celebrated long time partnerships. Plus, our Conservation Connections event is coming up - so check that out if you’re a Clarence Valley conservationist! Read on for all the highlights and watch our latest wildlife videos. |
| | EVAN THE EMU
Evan the emu has become a bit of a local celebrity at Banyula! First spotted on our cameras in December, this cheeky juvenile and his devoted dad have stuck around for over three months—much longer than any emu family we’ve monitored before.
Just last week, they were seen again, proving that Banyula is the place to be for emus. With plenty of native food, safe passage to nearby properties, ongoing monitoring and solid predator control, it’s no wonder they keep coming back!
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| EMU CEREMONY
Meanwhile, Banyula recently hosted a special ceremony where Yaegl Elders and Rangers returned the ashes of a coastal emu to Country, honouring its spirit and reinforcing our commitment to protecting this iconic species.
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| MINNIE WATER EMUS
And in Minnie Water, there’s more good news—a dad emu and his five chicks have been regular visitors over the summer months, bringing hope for the future. With conservation efforts ramping up, we’re determined to make sure coastal emus are here to stay!
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|  | | ADRIAN’S DECADE OF DEDICATIONThis year marks 10 years of an incredible partnership between Adrian and Tony, who first teamed up when Tony placed an ad on an NRM jobs site looking for someone to run a walking tour company in Yuraygir National Park. Adrian answered the call, and together, they designed and led highly successful tours through the stunning coastal landscape, with the support of Adrian’s wife Gina and a dedicated team of locals. Beyond the success of the walking tours, Adrian and Gina played a key role in helping Tony identify Banyula as a strategic property for private conservation. Since then, Adrian has been instrumental in developing, designing, and monitoring the Banyula Conservation Reserve, ensuring its long-term protection. His deep commitment to keeping the land feral-free and thriving with biodiversity has made a lasting impact—not just on Banyula, but across the Clarence Valley. As our Biodiversity Program Manager, Adrian's expertise and passion for conservation are invaluable and we thank him for his dedication and tireless efforts in preserving the environment for generations to come. |
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| | NEST BOX SUCCESS!This summer, the Nature Conservation Council (NCC) completed two nest box installation days, providing more vital habitat for local wildlife. On the first day, local arborists and their crew installed two new Large Owl Boxes with cameras, along with 10 large glider boxes, adding to the existing small mammal boxes. At that time, Banyula had 75 nest boxes, and monitoring recorded squirrel gliders and antechinus using them, with an impressive occupancy or signs of use at 64.7% in autumn 2024 and 63.5% in summer 2024. Since then, an additional 12 nest boxes have been installed, further expanding habitat availability and bringing the total number of nest boxes at Banyula to 87! A huge thank you to Angus Underwood, Hank and Sue Bower and the NCC team for their dedication to this important project, helping to support and protect our native species! |
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| | | | | FEATHERTAIL GLIDERThe Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) is Australia’s tiniest gliding mammal, weighing just 10 grams and soaring up to 25 metres! Though listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, they’re losing vital tree hollows to deforestation and fire. These little dynamos pollinate flowers, spread seeds, and are also an important food source for owls like the Vulnerable Barking Owl (Ninox connivens).
By protecting old trees and adding artificial hollows, we can give them safe homes—helping not just gliders but the whole forest ecosystem. Every creature plays a role, and looking after Feathertail Gliders helps keep nature’s delicate balance in check! |
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| GLIDERS LOVING THE TREE TROFFSThe Tree Troffs at Banyula have been a popular hotspot, attracting a variety of birds and reptiles during the day and nocturnal animals through the night. Excitingly, all three troughs, which are quite far apart, have been visited by feather-tail gliders, highlighting their importance as a permanent water source in the trees. |
| Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch our wildlife enjoying these vital water reservoirs plus more — we post new videos regularly! |
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| | | WEED TEAM UPDATEThe Banyula Bobcats have been hard at work this summer, dedicating 80 hours to weed eradication despite the challenging heat and humidity. Their efforts bring the total for this financial year to an impressive 530 hours! In addition to tackling actual weeds, the team has spent extra time clearing out remnants of old dope-growing setups from a bygone era (a high-ly important job) and de-fencing the property to support wildlife movement. Their dedication continues to make a real difference on the ground. |
| | | | CONSERVATION CONNECTIONS
NETWORKING WORKSHOP
Are you a conservation-minded landholder, neighbour, or volunteer looking to connect with others in the Clarence Valley? The Conservation Connections Networking Workshop is your chance to meet like-minded people, share knowledge, and form lasting collaborations. Guided by Jen Oceans (Corymbia & Biodiversity Legacy) and Naomi Ploos van Amstel (Griffith University), the day will include mapping activities, group discussions, and networking opportunities. You'll also receive a resource booklet with local conservation contacts and lunch. Spots are limited! |
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|  | | | LOOKING FOR A VENUE TO STUDY, FACILITATE MEETINGS OR HOST A WORKSHOP?
The facilities at the Banyula Conservation Reserve are available for use in the name of science, education, or community events based around the natural environment. These include our fully equipped large shed with toilets and bathrooms, perfect for workshops, as well as our extensive walking tracks, feral-free area, and close proximity to the Yuraygir National Park and Solitary Islands Marine Park.
We encourage everyone to take advantage of these resources to foster learning, research, and community engagement in the natural environment. Checkout the Banyula webpage and fill in the form at the bottom to host an event. |
| | | WAS THIS EMAIL FORWARDED TO YOU?Join the Friends of Banyula mailing list to receive inspiring good news stories, invites to events, and updates on activities organised by us and other like-minded organisations and individuals. Stay connected and be part of our mission to protect and preserve our natural world! |
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