Live out of town — WIRES offering 800 Koala Drinkers

Water For Wildlife Project Program Overview

• Applications will be assessed by WIRES and The University of Sydney.
• Drinkers will be allocated to applicants assessed to be in priority locations where the highest benefit will be delivered for wildlife.
• Priority will be given to areas impacted by the recent drought and fires and areas low on water where wildlife would most benefit over the coming summer.
• Locations that will provide the best support for wild populations of arboreal species will be selected, not suburban backyards.
• Geographic spread of applicants will also be assessed as part the program’s objective to maximise impact.
• Applicants need to be willing to be engaged in the program long-term, installing, regularly maintaining the drinkers and if appropriate, be willing to relocate them to areas of higher need.
• Successful applicants will become part of an evolving national community providing supplementary water, actively monitoring drinkers to assess the effectiveness of the program. This will determine the potential value to wildlife of ongoing program expansion.
• Successful applicants will be required to install the drinkers within 6 weeks of receiving them to maximise the benefit for wildlife this summer.
• Maintenance including cleaning and refilling water is expected to be required every 5-8 weeks in drought conditions, less in winter or in rainy periods.

Eligibility Guidelines

• Private and public landowners can apply.
• The applicant must be the owner of the land or have the authority to approve installation and ongoing monitoring of drinkers on the land.
• Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Each drinker would need to be a minimum of 500 metres away from any other drinker/source of fresh water.
• Successful applicants will be required to sign an agreement confirming their committment to the program, including prompt installation, supplying pictures post-installation, ongoing long-term maintenance and the provision of ongoing monitoring feedback.
• WIRES volunteers are excluded from applying as individuals, however a regional submission can be made by WIRES Branches.
• Corporations are ineligible to apply but they can email support@wires.org.au to register their interest in the program and discuss partnership opportunities to work together to help wildlife on their land where applicable.