Bold conservation initiative recognised for transforming 500km of fragmented koala habitat into thriving wildlife corridors, redefining how Australia restores its landscapes. 

Envite Environment’s visionary “Restoring Koala Country” initiative has been named a finalist in the 2025 NSW Sustainability Awards, earning recognition in the Biodiversity Award category for its groundbreaking approach to environmental restoration. 

Spanning over 500km of the NSW north coast – from Taree to Tweed Heads – Envite is initiating and leading projects in direct response to the devastation of the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, which destroyed up to 12.5 million hectares of forest and left koalas endangered in New South Wales. With over half of remaining habitat located on private land, traditional conservation models have struggled to keep pace with the scale of the crisis. 

“This is about thinking in generations, not grant cycles,” said Mick Webb, Regional Manager at Envite Environment. “We’re blending science, culture, and community to restore landscapes at scale – and it’s working.” 

Why Large-Scale Restoration Matters 

The Black Summer bushfires exposed the vulnerability of fragmented habitats and the limitations of short-term conservation efforts. Envite’s initiative tackles this head-on by connecting habitat corridors that allow wildlife to move, recover, and thrive – not just survive in isolated pockets. 

Since 2020, over numerous projects Envite has achieved: 

  • Restored 3,350 hectares of priority koala habitat across 104 properties
  • Planted 89,260 native trees, including critical koala food species 
  • Secured 33 in-perpetuity conservation agreements protecting 1,222 hectares 
  • Established 6 Traditional Owner partnerships incorporating cultural burning practices 
  • Delivered 24 community education events engaging hundreds of NSW north coast residents 

Innovation That Scales 

What makes “Restoring Koala Country” truly transformative is its integrated model: 

  • Technology: Spatial science tools like Koala Habitat Suitability Models and Koala Likelihood Maps guide precision restoration 
  • Stakeholders: Private landholders, Traditional Owners, government agencies, and community groups collaborate across boundaries 
  • Blended Funding: Philanthropic, government, and private support ensure long-term viability 
  • Empowerment: Communities and Traditional Owners lead on-the-ground action, embedding cultural knowledge and local stewardship 

This holistic approach breaks free from the constraints of fragmented efforts. It’s a blueprint for how Australia – and the world – can tackle biodiversity loss at scale. 

Local Action, Global Impact 

By aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative contributes to: 

  • SDG 13 (Climate Action): through carbon sequestration 
  • SDG 15 (Life on Land): via biodiversity restoration 
  • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): through Indigenous employment 
  • SDG 17 (Partnerships): by fostering cross-sector collaboration 

Looking Ahead 

Envite is now expanding the initiative to include drone-based monitoring, climate-adaptive restoration strategies, and regional conservation hubs to train the next generation of restoration practitioners. 

“This finalist recognition amplifies our message and opens doors to new collaborations,” said Mr Webb. “It’s about reimagining how Australia approaches conservation.” 

Winners of the NSW Sustainability Awards will be announced on 9 December 2025 at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney. Finalists will go on to compete in the Banksia National Sustainability Awards, Australia’s longest-running sustainability recognition program. 

Photography by: Iain Stych, Lisa Vercoe, Simon Hughes, Jimmy Malecki, Jason Page.