Saving koalas with soap, Chris Hemsworth and Friends of the Koala
Who Are Friends Of The Koala?
nude is proud to support Friends of the Koala, we donate $1 for each purchase of the nude Koala Bio Protection bar. So let us introduce you to the group...
Friends of the Koala is the peak koala conservation organisation in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. Based in East Lismore, Friends of the Koala operate both a Koala Hospital and Education Centre and maintain a 24/7 Rescue Hotline. Along with rehabilitating and releasing sick and injured koalas, the group also propagates and sells koala food trees, works with all levels of government, and provides advice to landowners on preserving and extending koala habitat. By 2017, the group had distributed around 152,068 koala food trees and cared for more than 5,000 koalas, releasing over 1,230 back into the wild.
Friends of the Koala has made an impressive contribution to Australia’s biodiversity despite receiving no government funding. Since being formed in 1986, they’ve worked closely with authorities and partnered up with various organisations, such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). They’ve also won numerous awards, including the Golden Leaf Award of Excellence for a Wildlife Group.
Why We Made A Koala Soap Bar?
nude beauty Australia is proud to support Friends of the Koala with our Koala Bio Protection Bar. $1 from each purchase is donated to the work of Friends of the Koala. This unique soap bar was developed to evoke the spirit of the Australian bush and its most iconic inhabitants. We partnered with Koala Jiu Jitsu to create this 100% vegan and palm-oil-free soap bar. Koala Jiu Jitsu is led by one of Australia’s leading Jiu Jitsu coaches, Jess Fraser, who works tirelessly to support women in sport.
The soap bar has been created from plant-based ingredients that are native to Australia. It includes tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic that aids in preventing infections and has been used by Indigenous Australians for centuries as a remedy for various diseases. It also has eucalyptus oil, which carries antimicrobial properties and treats dry skin or skin disorders. Eucalyptus, the main source of a koala’s diet, has become almost synonymous with Koalas. The combination of these powerful, penetrating scents will transport you straight to the Australian outdoors.
Why Do Koalas Need Our Help?
Koalas have come to be accepted as a much-loved symbol of Australia. Perched high up in eucalyptus trees, these teddy-bear-like creatures are an integral part of the Australian bush. But sadly, being cute or iconic hasn’t been enough to save them from the possibility of extinction. In the early twentieth century, thousands were killed for fur, while a host of issues continue to threaten their existence today.
Deforestation is one of the main causes for the shrinking number of koalas on our planet. Excessive tree-clearing and logging in Queensland and New South Wales has resulted in the destruction of koala populations and their homes.
Australia’s wildfires have also left the species' close to becoming endangered. More than 61,000 koalas and almost 143 million other native mammals were likely in the path of the Australian bushfires of late 2019 and early 2020, according to a major assessment of the ecological toll of the “black summer” blazes. As a result, many experts predict that the koala species could be wiped out by 2050 unless there’s urgent government intervention.
6 Ways You Can Help Protect Koalas
If, like us, you’re passionate about preserving the future of wildlife, here are some ways that you can play an active role in helping to protect koalas and their habitats:
- Purchase a Koala Bio Protection Bar from nude – $1 from each sale goes towards the koala conservation group, Friends of the Koala.
- Plant a koala food tree – koalas need them for rest, shelter, and food. This can be done via Friends of the Koala or wildlife rehabilitation groups like Port Macquarie Hospital, which work to rehabilitate Australian land and save koala habitats.
- Ditch single use plastic and reduce, reuse and recycle. More than 2,600 plastic bottles a year would be stopped from entering our environment altogether if just 50 people packed a flask instead of buying a bottle. Small changes can make a big difference.
- Adopt a koala. You can do this through a number of organisations and your contribution will help the charities care for and advocate on behalf of koalas, so they can remain in the wild.
- Spread the word. Sharing social media posts and articles about koalas, their vulnerability to extinction, and the factors contributing to their decline can help educate the public and bring about constructive change.
- Shop from ethical companies that care about the environment. Do your research on brands to make sure they’re using sustainable sources. Read about nude’s Palm Oil Free pledge here.
How Chris Hemsworth And A Baby Koala Broke The Internet
The team at nude Beauty Australia are huge fans of fellow Aussie, Chris Hemsworth, who also happens to be the ambassador for Friends of the Koala. Earlier this year, Hemsworth almost broke the internet when he was photographed holding a cuddly baby koala at the Friends of the Koala's offices. The combined cuteness of the adorable duo set hearts melting across the digital sphere as the image went viral. See the photo for yourself!
The actor has continued to support the organisation and promote their efforts across his social media channels, writing that he’s witnessed “first-hand (their) incredible work and commitment to conserving koalas and preserving and enhancing their habitat”.
The decision to donate $1 of our Koala Bio Protection soap bar is part of nude’s pledge to support Australian causes, protect wildlife, and make a positive impact on the environment. It’s important for us to be environmentally active, not just with our policies on ingredients and production (i.e., no palm oil or animal testing) but with our actions in the community.
