I first met Sr Anne Boyd in 2014 at the Sustainable Living Festival (SLF) in Melbourne/Naarm  when she came past our stall to talk about the work of the Brigidine Sisters. We became firm friends. Anne would make it a point to visit our stall at every SLF event and I would visit her at home in Sth Melbourne.

And so it was very sad news to hear that Sr Anne had passed away earlier this year.

These trees are a living legacy to a wonderful caring woman who cared for our planet and those living upon. All of us included.

I send my heartfelt condolences to the Brigidine Community.

Colleen Filippa | Founder | Fifteen Trees

Site 1 | You Yangs, VIC | 1,000 trees

Native tree species included at this site were a mixture of River-red gum, Yellow gum, Manna gum, Sweet Bursaria, Wirilda and Lightwood. All trees were sourced from local indigenous nursery at Western Plains Flora and planted by volunteers from the Koala Clancy Foundation  in the Brisbane Ranges (VIC).

The Wadawurrung are a recognised tribe (community) of this district, which consisted of some 25 clans that forms part of the Kulin Nation of Aboriginal people.

At Inverleigh, a small population of wild koalas are just hanging on. Many years ago all the woodland around them was cut down, isolating these koalas. Now modern farmers are keen to revegetate the streams, but they need our expert help. This project will restore an endangered ecosystem in a region that has lost 87% of its natural forest. This planting will effectively double the habitat for these koalas, giving them a lifeline.

Many thanks to sponsors of Fifteen Trees for your generous contribution.

Janine Duffy | President | Koala Clancy Foundation

This self-funded foundation is working with landowners and councils to provide connecting habitat corridors for their local wild koala populations. During the course of this planting season (April – September) they are aiming to plant close to 20,000 native trees. One thousand trees from The Brigidine Sisters goes a long way towards their goals.

Site 2 | Warragul, VIC | 200 trees

The trees were planted by members of the Mt Worth and District Landcare Group at a site south of Warragul at the foot of Mt Worth and the Strzelecki Ranges. The original home of the Kulin and Kurnai aboriginal people. They were a mixture of indigenous native trees, shrubs and grasses provided by Grand Ridge Nursery in Seaview, Victoria. Species include, Manna Gums, Strzelecki and Blue Gums and other indigenous species associated with the Wet and Damp Forest of the Strzelecki Ranges.

This new reserve has been fenced to exclude cattle and will help protect the water source that is a tributary of Bear Creek and the Moe River, which feeds into the Lakes system in East Gippsland. The new planting beautifies the site, whilst improving the biodiversity of the area.  The district currently supports habitat for the Australian Wood Duck, Blue Wren, Willie Wagtail, Straw-necked Ibis and White-faced Heron in addition to a colony of frogs and burrowing crayfish. This planting also supports koala habitat.

The trees, shrubs and grasses will continue to encourage and protect the movement of native animals via a wildlife corridor that links to the dam, connecting to fenced gullies that have been previously planted with support of the local Landcare Group.

We are most grateful for providing the native plants along with the ongoing financial support. This support has enabled us to improve the footprint of the land and offer a safe haven for wildlife.

Marg Cornwell & Jules Mehegan | Members | Mt Worth Landcare

If you would like to know more about sponsoring community tree planting projects and how we can assist you in becoming a more sustainable organisation please contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.

Writer – Lou Ridsdale

Lou a green thumb, Earth Lover, big-hearted nature freak, plus a savvy media and horticulture expert, who passionately believe that everyone can lead a more nourishing and sustainable life. Lou founded Food Is Free Inc., a unique grassroots food security platform specialising in food security education. You can find Lou here.