We are passionate about preserving the environment, which is why we’ve been hard at work here at Byron Beach Retreats thinking about how we can best give back to the community that has given us so much.
A new season has just ticked over, and I think we can all seriously agree that summer 2019/20 in Australia was peppered with a giant-size grinder of environmental challenges. From drought to bushfires then flooding rains, it really tested our mettle as a nation.
Although the Byron Bay region largely escaped the raging fires, the stress on our native flora and fauna was extreme. We want to protect our local wildlife which is why we have decided to help rebuild our picturesque local environment at Broken Head.
Introducing the Koala Habitat Regeneration Programme
We are thrilled to announce a brand new initiative which will help to future-proof our local koala population.
That’s right. You heard correctly! Koala (cute furry Australian creatures) Habitat (where they live) Regeneration (to restore) program (ongoing initiative). And this is what it will look like –
For every new booking (and retrospective booking from the 1st January 2020) made at any of our Byron Beach Retreats properties we will plant and maintain a koala primary browse tree in the local koala corridor at Broken Head.
Our initial goal will be to create a regeneration zone surrounding the new Eco Lodge (more on that later), and as this area builds we will then extend to the distant corners of Broken Head and hopefully even further as time progresses.
By focusing our attention on Broken Head, it is our hope that koalas will be able to find a peaceful, safe place to call home within the Nature Reserve while we all (including yourself) can see the fruits of our labour with our own eyes.
Bob – Habitat Regenerator
How the Programme Works
The Koala Habitat Regeneration Programme involves bush regeneration and the planting of ‘primary browse trees’ in our surrounding area to create a continuous corridor of food and shelter throughout our local rainforest reserve. We are committed to planting a Koala friendly tree for every booking we take across all four Beach Retreats properties. We estimate that this will equate to upwards of 200 trees each year, ongoing.
We have already planted 30 koala food trees for January and February, with our March tally well underway.
Friends of the Koala
While we are good at providing you with beautiful accommodation and one of a kind holiday experiences, our skills, unfortunately, do not extend to koala regeneration programmes. Therefore, we are working with Friends of the Koala Inc., which focuses solely on protecting our furry little friends and providing them with the best quality of life possible.
Furthermore, we have been working very closely with local ecologists and government to ensure we get everything correct and provide our local koala population with the best environment possible. Jump on to the Friends of the Koala Inc. website here to see all of their incredible initiatives and achievements so far. If you’re feeling extra generous, there is also a donation link on their website where you can adopt a koala or donate money which goes towards funding their projects.
The Eco Lodge
If you cast your mind back a few paragraphs, we mentioned the brand new Eco Lodge. In May 2020, the Eco Lodge will open for guests seeking to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy a holiday experience with a low environmental footprint. As with our other three Beach Retreats properties, all Eco Lodge bookings will contribute directly to the Koala Habitat Regeneration Project here in Broken Head.
To book (or take a look) at our brand new Eco Lodge, click here.
Eco Lodge Render – Harley Graham Architects
From a personal and community perspective, we’re super excited about this initiative, and can’t wait to see where it takes the Broken Head local environment. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to learn more about how you can contribute without the commitment of making a booking at one of the properties.
Thank you for everything you do with and for us,
Byron Beach Retreats 🌿
