Beyond protected areas for koala conservation

Australia recently declared the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) an endangered species in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, and New South Wales (NSW) because of its stark population decline (1, 2). In the state of NSW, koala conservation has become a key topic of discussion in the lead-up to the 25 March state election (3). However, the debate has focused on the expansion of protected areas and overlooked the importance of private land conservation and regulation.