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    TAFE NSW Yallah | 23 March 2026

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    Horticulture students establish a flourishing koala food forest

    ‘The project helps secure a steady food supply for wildlife carers while contributing to the long-term wellbeing of koalas. Students take part in cultivating native plants, monitoring soil health, and observing how habitats evolve over time,’
    David Brookfield, TAFE NSW Yallah Horticulture Teacher

    TAFE NSW Yallah Certificate III in Horticulture students have planted 450 eucalyptus trees to provide a reliable food source for koalas cared for at Symbio and Featherdale Wildlife Parks.

    Planted in October 2025, these trees mark the first stage of a dedicated koala food forest aimed at supporting wildlife care and conservation. The project reaches a key milestone on Tuesday 24 March, with its first harvest for the 2 wildlife parks.

    Certificate III in Landscape Construction students also contributed by constructing protective fencing around the young trees.

    Four members of the TAFE NSW Yallah Horticulture team are situated amongst flourishing native plants in their koala food forest.

    The initiative offers animal studies students an opportunity to see firsthand how koala feed is grown, harvested, and supplied. It provides valuable practical learning for Certificate III Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care students.

    TAFE NSW Yallah Horticulture Teacher David Brookfield said the initiative is an important contribution to koala welfare.

    “The project helps secure a steady food supply for wildlife carers while contributing to the long-term wellbeing of koalas. Students take part in cultivating native plants, monitoring soil health, and observing how habitats evolve over time,” Mr Brookfield said.

    “We are grateful for the support that has made this project possible. Materials provided by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program and the eucalyptus tube stock donation from Stroud Homes,” Mr Brookfield said.

    Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Senior Threatened Species Officer Beth Mott said the project was important for local koalas.

    “Apart from supporting koalas in care, this project provides us an opportunity to rebuild an important patch of our endangered Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland ecological community.”

    The koala food forest demonstrates how TAFE NSW student projects can directly benefit wildlife care and habitats while equipping students with practical, job-ready environmental skills.

    Media contact: Karen Farrell, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.

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