Trees for individuals are adding up as kind-hearted souls are purchasing trees for us to plant on their behalf. Trees to cover their flights, trees to cover their cars and trees as birthday gifts and in memory of a loved one.

Over the course of the year, we will be updating this blog as more people purchase trees and more trees are planted.

Thank you to those who purchased 1 tree. 

• Zan Zaidi
• Sonia Bain

Thank you to those who purchased 2 trees. 

• Genevieve Novak

Thank you to those who purchased 4 trees. 

• Donna & Peter Guille. ‘Dear Lyn, It’s a little late, but here is the remainder of your birthday gift. Love Donna and Peter’. 

Thank you to those who purchased 8 trees. 

• Katie White

Thank you to those who purchased 10 trees. 

• Kathy Murdoch

Thank you to those who purchased 15 trees. 

• Enrich
• Hannah Mai
• Elissa Goodrich
• Matt Halford

Thank you to those who purchased 20 trees. 

• Jan Souter

Thank you to those who purchased 30 trees. 

• Alexander Pritchard
• Jenny Kan and Thomas Nurse

Trees Planted for Lesley & Paul’s 70th Birthday Celebrations. 

• Chris & Elizabeth Astley
• David Demeye
• Lorraine Brown
• Glenda Mason

Site A | Freshwater Creek | 145 trees planted

The site for these trees was at Common Ground Farm at Freshwater Creek, located on the traditional land of the Wadawurrung/Wathaurong people of the Kulin Nation. The farm is a core business stream in this social enterprise. As a community farm, they run volunteer programs which are very popular among locals, plus workshops and school programs on a variety of food-growing related topics.

The farm’s mission is to create;

• a vibrant and biodiverse space,
• provide an example of regenerative farming and
• allow for community driven food production.

Common Ground Farm believes that people need locally adapted models as an example of what is possible. The trees planted at the farm will provide food and shelter for pollinators. This incorporates biodiversity and supportive planting techniques to create a diverse and integrative system.

Fifty (50) students and 3 teachers from Camberwell Grammar School joined the Common Ground Farm for a tree planting day. The Year 7 students used the day as an introduction to sustainable food systems and to learn how community can participate in landscape restoration.

Some of the species planted included; Bellarine Yellow Gum, Blackwood, Black Wattle, Golden Wattle, River Bottlebrush, Drooping Sheoak, River Sheoak, Hop Goodenia, White Correa and three types of native grasses – Wallaby, Kangaroo and Spear.

The area was historically a seasonal floodplain and wooded grassland. Through land clearing and overgrazing it is now an exposed, invasive-dominated grassland. This planting looks to restore diversity in species, habitat and structure to the local ecosystem. Over time, the trees will provide shelter for wildlife that relies on mid and understory vegetation, reduce wind and evaporation, and contribute to restoring soil health and ecology by assisting with flood or drought mitigation.

The farm is home to many native animals, birds, insects and organisms that support the healthy function of a natural ecosystem. The health of the biodiversity of the land extends beyond just the fence-line.Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Echidnas, Bandicoots, Tiger Snakes, Wedgetail Eagles, Black Kites, Nankeen Kestrels, Black Ducks and Wood Ducks all call this district home.

Together, as individuals, we can make significant change. Think of people like Greta Thunberg, who went from a lone figure protesting on the steps of her parliament to the symbolic leader of a worldwide youth climate movement. Think of the social justice marches of the past few years, those rivers of people taking over our streets and calling for change. All individuals. All making a difference.

Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.

Margaret Mead | Cultural Anthropologist

We see it very clearly here are Fifteen Trees. We have hundreds of individuals who purchase small numbers of trees, because that’s what they can do right now. But those small numbers add up! Thousands of trees have been planted thanks to small personal gestures of generosity and forward-thinking. First a rustle, then a roar, and finally a forest.

This is the power of acting individually and working collectively. If you think you can’t make an impact, we’re here to tell you that you can. Because it’s never just you. It’s all of us, and we’re facing these challenges together.

Would you like to add to our tree tally for 2025? You can purchase trees here.

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. Find Lou here.