The sight—and distinctive scent—of a eucalyptus tree is an icon of the Australian bush. Eucalypt forests—with their slightly camphoric fragrance of leaves fluttering overhead and crunching underfoot—make up about 75 percent of all of Australia’s forest habitats, and they are home to species found nowhere else in the world.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has a tradition of working closely with conservationists in Australia, and we have been given the unique opportunity to work with monotremes like platypuses, and marsupials like koalas and Tasmanian devils—not only on their native continent, but also in San Diego. We recognize the importance of preserving the natural and cultural history represented by this connection.