We fell in love with the cheeky Black Cockatoos of WA via the Instagram photos of the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre. How could we resist their call out for funds for habitat trees for these iconic Australian birds.
Image by Kaarakin
Gumnuts for Zanda Project is a small effort to combat the ongoing clearing of black cockatoo habitat in the Perth Environs. Loss of roosting and food trees is the cause of declining populations of Carnaby’s, Baudin’s and Forest Red Tail black cockatoos; all of whom are threatened with extinction.
Funded by the National Resource Management (NRM) 2 hectares of previous disused orchard was cleared, fenced and tilled to provide excellent planting conditions for native seedlings. This July, over 3000 black cockatoo food plants were planted by over 100 volunteers of all ages. Seedlings were generously supplied by sponsors including Fifteen Trees. In 20 years, these seedlings will have matured into food and roosting habitat, contributing to the survival of these magnificent birds.
Cathy Burns| Donation Coordinator | Black Cockatoo Preservation Society | Save the Black Cockatoo Trust Fund
Host of volunteers
Fifteen Trees would like to acknowledge these individuals who have all contributed trees to Cathy and her team of volunteers. Thank you to Richarda for purchasing 90 trees in memory of her father Andy, who was a long time member of Landcare. Thank you to Brendon Doyle and Eunice Goodberg who purchased 68 trees to reduce the carbon footprint of their recent flights to Europe. Thank you to Jeroen Vis for his 60 trees and to Sarah Hayes for 45 trees. And thank you to Briony Whitton, from Perth who purchased 15 trees.
And finally thank you to Elise Dunstan. On Sunday 2 June, Elise ran a PermE Play* workshop at the Alphington Farmer’s Market to help celebrate the Melbourne Food Hub Open Day. From all accounts, it was a great success with 30 primary aged children participating in the workshop alongside many adults! They learnt how to give tins another life by repurposing wrapping paper and ribbons to decorate them, creating lovely looking succulent tins to keep or gift. Participants were asked to donate a gold coin to help fundraise for Fifteen Trees, and Elise was very excited to report this workshop raised $72 which enabled them to purchase 15 trees towards this project.
*PermE Play is a nod to the ethics of Permaculture. The workshops are intended to connect community, encourage participants to slow-down, craft, create and learn how to adopt and apply the Permaculture principles to daily life.
All up we were able to contribute the funds for 300 trees.
Big love to everyone who contributed. As you can see your trees went to a fabulous group in WA. We are still looking for trees for other projects. Most pressing at the moment is a project in the Grampians Region of Victoria, where we are looking to plant habitat trees for the Swift Parrot. Another native bird struggling with loss of habitat. You can purchase trees here.
WPA acknowledges that when it comes to environmental initiatives, its people are its strength. It has recently partnered with us to plant 15 trees for each hard-working staff member identified as a Sustainability Warrior.
Tasman Cottage already gives you a chance to reconnect with nature, yet its manager Nick has taken an important next step. He recently purchased 150 trees in collaboration with us here at Fifteen Trees, an action which ensures vital habitat for our native fauna, such as the unique Tassie Devil.
‘We believe that supporting community tree-planting initiatives is not only an investment in nature; it’s a commitment to a sustainable future. JEI Studio is committed to ongoing donations of 15 planted trees for every design and decoration service agreement’. Jessi Deakin.
