Originally published on August 18, 2014, at ForceChange.com

Target: Mike Baird, Premier of New South Wales

Goal: Prevent a highway project from destroying a vital koala habitat

A colony of source population koalas is under threat by the recently approved plans to construct a highway through the Blackwall Range Wildlife Corridor. Critical to the survival of coastal koalas, the colony is expected to become extinct within the next 20 to 25 years due to the creation of the roadway. Although the highway could be built along multiple alternate routes, the current plans will entail bisecting the koala habitat and will threaten the survival of several other endangered species.

Commissioned by the Ballina Council, a Koala Habitat Study reported that construction of the highway would be a key threatening process endangering the lives of the koalas and other species. Previous studies of deforestation show that the koala population will rapidly decrease following the wanton destruction of their habitat. With no concern for the wellbeing of the animals or the environment, the Stage 10 upgrade of the Pacific Highway will ravage a habitat filled with biodiversity.

Blackwall Range koalas have been reported as a source population for koalas in other parts of Australia. By destroying their home, decreases in koala populations will spread across New South Wales. The alternative to killing off an adorable animal synonymous with Australia is creating a new route that does not result in the deaths of multiple endangered species.

Ignoring the Koala Habitat Study would be a deliberate crime against nature. Rerouting the highway will not only save the lives of endangered species, it would preserve the breathtaking environment that they inhabit. Do not allow bulldozers to depopulate a vital colony of koalas.

By signing the petition below you will urge the Premier of New South Wales, Mike Baird, to reroute the highway and prevent the loss of these koalas’ lives.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Premier Mike Baird,

The approved plans for the Stage 10 upgrade of the Pacific Highway will annihilate a koala population that is critical for the survival of the species in New South Wales. If the highway is not rerouted, deforestation will rapidly wipe out the Blackwall Range koala colony within 20 to 25 years. Numerous other endangered species within the habitat will become extinct as well.

Your people do not want a highway paved in blood. With the report from the Koala Habitat Study, the plans for the highway need to be re-evaluated in order to prevent unsustainable deforestation and unnecessary loss of life. Find an alternate route that does not result in the extinction of endangered species.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: MadysenSmith2309 via DeviantArt