As one of our most challenging Australian summers ever, drags towards autumn, many of us are feeling a sadness that’s a little hard to articulate. Maybe we catch a passing news byte and learn that Tasmania’s kelp forests are dying. Maybe it’s an image of dead fish in the Darling that brings tears to our eyes. Sometimes it’s a shattering new economic reality, for others it’s a heart-wrenching loss of eons-old cultural heritage. It’s something we’ve all felt recently, to a greater or lesser degree, as we watch the skies go red, our landscapes burn, and our wildlife perish. There are words for this feeling now – ecosadness, ecoanxiety, ecological grief, solastalgia. The feeling that the world as we know it is disappearing, the knowledge that humans are the cause, the devastating loss of place, and the overwhelming sense of powerlessness. Dr Neville Ellis (UWA) and Dr Ashlee Cunsolo (Memorial University of Newfoundland) have been researching the emotional effects of extreme ecological loss. They’ve found the impact is similar all over the world. Inuit communities experience and react to melting sea ice with the same sense of despair, grief and frustration as famers in outback Australia who watch their whole life blow away in increasingly savage dust storms. People grieve, the researchers say, for ‘ lost environmental knowledge and associated identities. In these cases, people mourn the part of self-identity that is lost when the land upon which it is based changes or disappears .’ But it is not all desolation. Part of the purpose of research into this field is to legitimise these feelings of grief, to articulate them, and by doing so give people a sense of connection. When the very land beneath our feet is shifting, we need the stability of true connection to other humans more than ever. Collective grief can lead to collective action . And where there is action, there is always hope. We are hopeful here at Fifteen Trees, despite our grief for the changes we see all around us. There are incredible people and communities doing wonderful things for our natural environment. Doing something, anything, helps channel that sadness into positive and meaningful action. And you can be a part of this grass-roots uprising. We’ve have many community organisations who need help to revegetate their district, and we encourage anyone who is feeling the need to act to purchase trees or reach out to your local landcare or environmental group and ask if you can join in with their next community action day. Let’s make a difference, together. Article by Sarah Hart Sarah is an artist whose passions include the stories and experiences of women and narrative driven creative work. Her aim is to delight, to reveal glimpses of everyday beauty, and to celebrate flights of the ordinary. Sarah works across a range of media, with an abiding interest in pen and ink, mixed media and the human form.

In her poem When I am among the trees, beloved nature poet Mary Oliver spoke of trees giving off ‘hints of gladness’. Could anything be more perfect? The list of things trees do for us and for the earth is long indeed, and perhaps the simple fact that we find joy in being around them gets overlooked sometimes. But when we gift a tree to someone we love, part of our intention is to make them glad. Glad at the thought of a tree being planted somewhere in the world, and happy about the good it will do. We’re also showing that we connect the thought of them with trees, with goodness, and with hope. Christine Tammer is no stranger to hints of gladness. A professional musician, Christine has spent over forty years composing, performing, teaching, conducting, orchestrating, arranging, and inspiring people and communities to explore their voices with confidence. If trees are an expression of the earth’s bursting desire to create, then surely music is the human equivalent. Christine's late partner and her best friend Matt, had many loves in his life. None as important as his children, his grandchildren and of course Christine. Matt talked about planting trees for his loved ones, however there just wasn't time before he died to organise them. When Christine was searching for a gift for the children in her life, she remembered the discussions she had had with Matt. She wanted something lasting and meaningful. Something creative, something strong, something that inspired. Single use plastic junk just didn’t cut it. But trees did! Along with revegetation, habitat diversity, soil and water table improvement, fauna protection, landscape beautification and gladness. And so, fifteen (15) trees were gifted to Juniper, Jarrah, Jye, Alba, Yarran and Kai. The trees will grow with the children and are a gift they will connect with in different ways as the years go on. Small children might want to know where the trees were planted and who planted them. In a few years they might understand more about the environmental impact the trees have had, even the theory behind carbon offsetting. And when they are grown, those children will walk in a forest and know that all trees are connected, and that the long-ago gift from Christine was a gesture of gladness and hope. Christine's gift of 90 trees were planted along the Leven River in the North West district of Tasmania. Volunteers from Landcare Tasmania's Friends of the Leven and Anglers Alliance Tasmania had a great day out planting along the Leven River. The group is continuing ongoing work to remove the willow and blackberry regrowth. Thanks to Colleen (Fifteen Trees) and Christine (Tammer Music) for the plants and Inland Fisheries for funding support for removing willows. Priscilla Richards | Landcare Support Officer | Landcare Tasmania [caption id="attachment_10446" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Tree planting along the Leven River.[/caption] Treat yourself to a full reading of Oliver’s lovely poem: When I am among the trees by Mary Oliver When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness. I would almost say that they save me, and daily. I am so distant from the hope of myself, in which I have goodness, and discernment, and never hurry through the world but walk slowly, and bow often. Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches. And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say, “and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.” Article by Sarah Hart Sarah is an artist whose passions include the stories and experiences of women and narrative driven creative work. Her aim is to delight, to reveal glimpses of everyday beauty, and to celebrate flights of the ordinary. Sarah works across a range of media, with an abiding interest in pen and ink, mixed media and the human form.

In case you hadn’t noticed, Christmas seems to be approaching. There is an air of well-intentioned panic in the air, as swarms of people race around to purchase material goods for their loved ones, hoping that this year, the candlestick/photoframe/novelty mug won’t end up in an op-shop three weeks later. Gifting can be a tricky business, both on a personal and an ethical level. But there is a way around it. We have been so filled with gladness this year to see many people buying trees as gifts for friends, family members and colleagues. So far, 308 trees, with more coming in as the day draws nearer. No panic involved, no rushing around, no looming landfill problem. Simply a loving thought, a promise of life, and a practical gesture of solidarity with our struggling planet. And with that in mind, fifteen (15) trees have been planted on the behalf of: Bakery Hill Kindergarten teachers, from your biggest fans - the kids! Josh from Tegan Burn. Josh had said 'buy me trees instead of presents', Selene Dudley Bateman from Melita Slieker-Bateman, Brenda & Carly Savy from Stella Savy, Richard & Jill Savy from Stella Savy, Bette Goode from David Goode, Secret recipient from Emily Paige Duggen, Secret recipient from Stacey Jones, Vivienne Maynard-Horner from Jane Randell and the Foreign Correspondent's Association, Secret recipient from Peter Lambert, Secret recipient from Louise Le Feuvre, Dianne Lee from Andre Bonnice (2 X 15 trees), Sarah Exner from Andre Bonnice, Lincoln Turner & Penny Tangey from Marian Turner, Froebel Parkville Kinder Room from Marian Turner, Ed & Irene from Lucy Bracey, Family members from Fifteen Trees (2 X 15), 'In loving memory of Riley and Charlotte Lange ' from your friends and colleagues at G.J. Gardner Homes Essendon Fields. The trees purchased (308) have been planted, and gift recipients will be able to see them when they receive a card. They’ve gone in the ground on Phillip Island VIC, on a site owned by the Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School at Cowes. They will provide habitat, wind breaks, and increased biodiversity and soil integrity for decades to come. They will also help to educate the school children who planted them, and those who will enjoy them in the future, about environmental issues. The more of our young people who grow up with a connection to the land that supports them, the better. [caption id="attachment_10433" align="aligncenter" width="809"] Tree planting day at Phillip Island.[/caption] The Phillip Island Landcare group has helped facilitate a planting activity at the Our Lady Star of the Sea School, in Cowes on Saturday August 3 rd , 2019. 54 people attended the planting day helping to plant and protect 500 plants around the southern perimeter of the school grounds. These plants will contribute significantly to the environmental improvement of the area and connect to existing areas of vegetation. Having the school community to take part in this event helps the students feel ownership of their school landscape. Geoff Trease | Bass Coast Landcare We are all reeling from the early, savage start to Australia’s fire season. We are all anxious about what it means for our future. So many of us feel the need to do something, to start somewhere, somehow. This is one small way to start. Every act of gifting and every dollar we spend says something. It tells a story about what we want our world to look like, as well as how we love. Article by Sarah Hart Sarah is an artist whose passions include the stories and experiences of women and narrative driven creative work. Her aim is to delight, to reveal glimpses of everyday beauty, and to celebrate flights of the ordinary. Sarah works across a range of media, with an abiding interest in pen and ink, mixed media and the human form.

Belinda Coates has a birthday coming up. On Monday November 25th to be exact. This year, Belinda is doing something different! For her birthday, Belinda is asking her friends and family to buy her a tree (or trees) for planting in the Ballarat district during the upcoming winter/spring. Once planted, this blog will be updated with photos of the trees and a short story about the tree planting day. Everyone who contributes to Belinda's Birthday Trees will get an email with the link to the trees. Birthdays are important milestones but I’m not really one for big celebrations. However, I love the idea of giving back on my birthday. Trees are the perfect gift because they just keep giving. They are an amazing part of our ecosystem and contribute so much to our natural environment. They combat climate change, give us beauty, soak up carbon, produce oxygen and provide homes and shelter for insects, birds and habitat for wildlife. They also protect waterways and landscapes from erosion. In my role as a local Councillor here in Ballarat I’ve advocated strongly for our Urban Forestry Action plan aiming for 40% tree canopy cover by 2040. Being able to plant some trees for my birthday is a way that I can take action for the environment in my personal life. I’d love your help to get some trees planted to combat climate change and give back to the environment. This is only the second time Fifteen Trees have used the crowd-sourcing idea through our own website. And we are pretty excited, for this is a great way for people having birthdays, weddings etc to nicely ask that their friends and family purchase some trees on their behalf. Thank you to everyone who purchased trees (anywhere from 1 to 15) for Belinda's birthday. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- TREE UPDATE: 29 people have collectively purchased 162 trees for Belinda for her birthday. Big thank you from Belinda and Fifteen Trees. The trees will be planted during National Tree Week (July) 2020 at the Ross Creek Reserve. Once planted, we'll update this post with photos and send out emails with the link to everyone who contributed. Sláinte - Colleen (Founder and Director of Fifteen Trees)

Wine, as any aficionado will tell you, is a holistic experience – you taste, smell, swirl, describe, hunt for metaphors, tell other people about it, look for the quirkiest or most picturesque cellar door, then go liking to find out how the wine was made and by whom. Wine is ultimately about connection. To the story in the bottle, to the land from which it came. Gundog Estate is a winery with stories aplenty, and a thriving social and environmental conscience to go with it. Its cellar doors are located in an historic schoolhouse and stables in Pokolbin and Gundaroo respectively. Grapes are sourced from the Hunter, Hilltop and Canberra wine regions. Gundog is proud of its semillon, shiraz, rose and fortified wines. It is also justifiably proud of its social and environmental commitments. [caption id="attachment_10387" align="aligncenter" width="884"] Australian Conservation Foundation planting trees/shrubs kindly donated by Gundog Estate.[/caption] Alongside its partnership with Path2Change , which aims to combat homelessness in the Newcastle region, Gundog has recently partnered with Fifteen Trees to combat climate change in, well, the planetary region. Gundog has come up with a range of ways to encourage its customers to get in on the action: Fifteen Trees currently plant one tree for every new membership to Gundog Estate’s Barrel Club and ten trees per year for every employee at Gundog Estate. Customers are also given the option to purchase a tree at checkout (online and at the cellar door). Via the Wine Club, members are also given the opportunity to purchase tree vouchers during quarterly distributions. Our ongoing supporters give our sustainable enterprise stability and the capacity to plan, and we’re so happy to have Gundog on board. So far we have arranged for their first lot of trees to be planted under the Westgate Bridge in Victoria, with the second lot to be planted at a yet to be determined site in NSW (stay tuned). The committed winemakers behind Gundog Estate aim to leave their land in better shape than it was when they walked on to it. By partnering with Fifteen Trees, they are also doing the same for the earth. A refined and earthy cheers to that! Article by Sarah Hart. Sarah is a self-taught artist whose passions include the stories and experiences of women and narrative driven creative work. Her aim is to delight, to reveal glimpses of everyday beauty, and to celebrate flights of the ordinary. Sarah works across a range of media, with an abiding interest in pen and ink, mixed media and the human form.

Colleen Filippa, Author at fifteen trees

18 02, 2020

Eco-sadness.
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Eco-sadness.

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Eco-sadness.

By Colleen Filippa|2020-02-18T15:39:36+11:00February 18th, 2020|Blog|0 Comments

As one of our most challenging Australian summers ever, drags towards autumn, many of us are feeling a sadness that’s a little hard to articulate. Maybe we catch a passing news byte and learn that Tasmania’s kelp forests are dying. Maybe it’s an image of dead fish in the Darling that brings tears to our eyes. Sometimes it’s a shattering new economic reality, for others it’s a heart-wrenching loss [...]

colleen

About Colleen Filippa