Argon & Co take sustainability seriously, ensuring that protection of the planet is a part of all their own projects and strategies as well as offering sustainable services in the fields of manufacturing, finance, design and sourcing.
Every quarter, the company purchases 375 native trees for our tree planting projects. Over the course of the year, the trees are distributed to community groups across Australia. This year, we planted Argon & Co’s trees at 2 Victorian sites; Nulla Vale and Werribee River.
The Nulla Vale Landcare group, who planted the trees, has engaged in a program of regenerating an island in Mollison Creek, Pyalong in Central Victoria. The island had become overgrown with blackberries, gorse and thistles to the extent that it was inaccessible. Having removed the weeds, including blackberries up to two metres high, the group embarked on a native revegetation program in order to restore the island to its native condition. Ongoing weeding will be undertaken until the native vegetation has reached a mature state that will naturally reduce and control the weed invasion.
We would like to thank Fifteen Trees and their supporters for contributing to our effort to begin the process of healing this spectacular piece of land. The trees provided will help to protect the few old trees that remain. These trees are better preserved if they have an ecology of smaller supportive trees and bushes around them, along with some young replacement trees that will one day grow to a similar scale. A rich and diverse ecology around these old trees, helps bring back the wildlife and the insects that provide a far more protective environment.
We thank you for your interest and generosity.
James Legge | President | NV&PWLC
The creek and island is inhabited by a range of water birds including Ducks, Blue Cranes and water fowl. Many species of birds in Central Victoria inhabit the area such as Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, Corellas and Wrens.
The planting site for these trees was on the Werribee River at Ballan, VIC (Wadawurrung country). This is an important site in the landscape, with the Werribee River marking the northern boundary. The project will improve connectivity through the site, connecting habitat in the rail reserve at the south of the site to the escarpment planting in the north.
Thirty-two (32) species of plants ranging from herbs and grasses through to large trees were planted. Some of the species included: kangaroo grass, chocolate lily, rock correa, golden wattle, black wattle and manna gum.
This site sits within an Ecological Vegetation Class called Grassy Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion. The conservation status of the vegetation community along this whole corridor is endangered, (even though some species are common). This work helps to improve the habitat value of this significant river link through the landscape.
The iconic Platypus is regularly seen in this stretch of the river and gliding above the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagles can be spotted.
The Upper Werribee Catchment Group would like to thank the sponsors of Fifteen Trees that finance the seedlings for projects like ours. Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to have the significant impacts that we do in connecting habitat throughout the upper Werribee catchment.
Lindy MacRaid | Coordinator | Upper Werribee Catchment Group
We thank Argon & Co for their assistance in helping local communities to protect their native environment. These trees will go a long way to provide habitat for local wildlife.
If you would like to know more about sponsoring community tree planting projects and how we can assist you in becoming a more sustainable business, please contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.
Writer: Colleen Filippa
With a background in Environmental Science, Colleen is the Founding Director of Fifteen Trees. In 2009, after 20 years in primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions, Colleen left the classroom to start the company. Fifteen Trees is a social enterprise assisting individuals and companies to reduce their carbon footprint by supporting community groups such as Landcare, schools and environmental networks.
Restoring Australian ecosystems. Supporting communities with their revegetation projects for a greener and healthier planet.
Fifteen Trees acknowledges Indigenous Australians as the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work, live and play.
We recognise that Indigenous Australians have cared for and lived in harmony with this land for millennia, and their knowledge and wisdom of the land endures.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and stand in solidarity as Indigenous Australians seek a fairer and more sustainable future for the land and its people.