The Brigidine Sisters are a group of Catholic sisters currently located in six countries world wide. They are known for their commitment to social and ecological issues. They view community-building as a global as well as local concern. This commitment to community includes a strong sense of ecological responsibility.  

We have a growing appreciation that everything is connected. Thus our focus and our concerns for eco-justice as well as for social justice remain at the heart of our Brigidine commitment.  

In partnership with Fifteen Trees, The Brigidine Sisters have recently committed to planting 2500 trees, as a way of reducing their flight-related carbon emissions. The modern reality of tackling global social justice issues is that one must occasionally get on a plane. But doing so needn’t be at the expense of the environment.  

  While the Sisters are flying high fighting the good fight for oppressed peoples all round the world, their trees are already in the ground and helping a very different kind of community. Thousands of trees have been planted in the Brigidine Sisters’ name around Mount Worth in Gippsland.  

            Most recently, 200 trees were planted by volunteers from the Mt Worth & District Landcare Group on a property at Cloverlea owned by David and Kim Butcher. The aim of the planting was to link two gullies and provide, in time, a wildlife corridor for the native residents.   These residents are as vulnerable in their own way, as those the Sisters of St Brigid seek to protect.   Wombats, echidnas and wallabies are wanderers. They need safe roads through their local environment in order to survive, particularly as the effects of climate change start to take hold. A thoughtful act of community by the Sisters means future generations of Mt Worth fauna will have a safer, happier future.              

It is wonderful to see the small beginnings of a healthy bushland being restored. Sister Anne Boyd.

                                             

We distributed the 2,500 trees across 10 sites in the district of Mt Worth, Gippsland. These sites included: Tetoora Road Community Centre, Holling Rd, Lardner and District Primary School, Seaview Community Hall, plus the properties of some of our Landcare members such as the McDonald Family, Pilkington Family, Lynne Seymour, Craig Kenny, David Butler and Rosemary Kennedy. A little information about Lynne Seymour and her planting of 600 trees. Lynne lives at Cloverlea, close to the top of Mt Worth and has a stunning view of the Hancock’s Victoria Plantation and of the western section of the Latrobe valley. Lynne’s property of 11 acres has its own challenges with the steepness of the hills (hands and knees required). Her close proximity to the the Mt Worth State Park means her property is a thorough-fare for the many native animals between these two large areas of forest. These trees will, in time,  provide a wildlife corridor for passing animals. Tree planting in remote areas is an expensive exercise with long term rewards. Assistance from groups such as The Brigidine Sisters has played a hugely important role in this years planting around the Mount Worth Landcare district. From myself and the members of the Mt Worth and District Landcare Group a warm thank you to Sr Anne Boyd and her community.   Rob East | Secretary | Mt Worth & District Landcare Group

 

  Thank you Sr Anne Boyd and all the wonderful women at the Brigidine Sisters for your generous purchase of 2,500 trees for South Gippsland, Victoria. With its good rainfall, fertile soils and caring community, these trees will grow well. In time they will be part of a self sustaining ecosystem that will provide habitat to native wildlife, help keep the creeks and rivers clean, keep soil salinity at bay and (over their lifetime) capture 670 tonnes of CO2.   No small feat!   Sláinte – Colleen Colleen Filippa is the Founder and Director of Fifteen Trees. This year, Fifteen Trees celebrates 10 years. To be part of the movement of companies and people looking to make a tangible contribution to our community groups and our native environment, contact Colleen at <[email protected]> or on 0400 040 659.