2020 REVIEW: AN UNFORGETTABLE YEAR FOR NATURE

2020 was the year that everything changed. Our nation watched in horror as bushfires ripped through the country.

Our hearts continue to go out to the families who lost loved ones and the communities who lost their homes. Many thanks to the firefighters and volunteers who battled the blazes, and front line workers and vets who worked tirelessly to save wildlife.

Among the ashes, we found hope for recovery.

With generous donations from all around the world to WWF’s Australian Nature and Wildlife Recovery Fund, WWF-Australia was able to start rebuilding and restoring what was lost in the devastating fires, with a vision to Regenerate Australia.

Here is a snapshot of the year in pictures.

Our hearts broke as we watched our nation burn all summer…

Once the fires cleared, we hit the ground to assess the damage...

Darren Grover (Head of Healthy Land and Seascapes, WWF-Australia) and Mike Barth (Natural Resources Kangaroo Island) assess the bushfire damage to a glossy black cockatoo nesting box on Kangaroo Island, SA.

WWF-Australia deployed koala detection dogs Taz (left) and Missy (right) from OWAD Environment into bushfire-affected areas to find koalas and conduct assessments on their habitat. This was made possible thanks to generous donations from supporters to WWF’s Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.

and helped wildlife in urgent need…

Donations also allowed WWF-Australia to supply fresh food as part of the NSW Government’s aerial food drop program to support wildlife that still remained in bushfire-impacted areas.

Brush-tailed rock-wallabies feeding on carrots dropped from the aerial food program.

Minty the possum in care with Wildcare at Carwoola, NSW. Minty suffered burns to all four paws during the bushfire crisis.

Dr Anne Fowler - one of the many hardworking Australian Veterinary Association vets across the country who worked tirelessly to save wildlife impacted by the bushfires. Here she is pictured with RJ, an orphaned flying fox.

An orphaned swamp wallaby joey treated at Milton Village Vet during the aftermath of the bushfire crisis..

Even when COVID-19 stopped the world, we found ways to adapt...

Thanks to generous donations, WWF-Australia was able to fund the construction of three rehabilitation enclosures at Phillip Island Nature Parks for koalas like Annie (pictured). Earlier in the year, Annie received critical care at Zoos Victoria for burns suffered during the Mallacoota fires in Victoria. Jennifer Ford (Emergency Wildlife Response Officer, WWF-Australia) visited Annie to check in on her recovery process.

Maryanne, the koala, was found earlier in the year during bushfires near Wivenhoe Dam, Qld and was treated for her burns by the RSPCA QLD - one of the first recipients of WWF-Australia’s funding thanks to our generous supporters. Here, Maryanne is being released back into the wild after making a full recovery thanks to the care of Ipswich Koala Protection Society.

WWF-Australia assesses new regrowth and bushfire recovery in Batemans Bay, NSW.

As our wildlife healed, we looked to Regenerate Australia to restore what was lost…

Dr Stuart Blanch (Senior Manager, Landclearing and Restoration, WWF-Australia) participating in a smoking ceremony. In partnership with Great Eastern Ranges, WWF-Australia is helping to restore the health and resilience of forest habitat in the Jaliigirr landscape.

This site is cared for and managed by Coffs Harbour & District Local Aboriginal Land Council. All environmental restoration work has been and continues to be undertaken by the Durrunda Waajarr Rangers, the Repair to Country team.

Eli is one of the koala joeys in care at Ipswich Koala Protection Society. Thanks to WWF-Australia supporters, we’re able to support the rescue and recovery efforts of koalas like Eli and help double the number of koalas on Australia’s east coast by 2050.

On the road! Australia’s largest mobile wildlife hospital is ready for action. Thanks to supporter donations, WWF-Australia helped fund state of the art equipment and support operating costs of the new Byron Bay Mobile Wildlife Hospital which is now ready to deploy for future national disasters.

And we had some other wins along the way!

Ruby Heard of Alinga Energy shares her story with us and highlights the benefits that solar projects could bring to Indigenous communities experiencing energy poverty. Campaigns for a renewable recovery secure more than a $1 billion investment.

Sydney city was one of many cities around the world that switched off for Earth Hour 2020.