Essential Flavours does just what it implies – it makes flavours! Using a delightful combination of science and art they can make any flavour you like and provide it to you in liquid or powder form, from classic chocolate, through spices, and any fruit you care to mention. And what’s more, they don’t do flavouring in a small way – Essential Flavours products are distributed right across the Asia-Pacific region.

As well as tickling tastebuds from Stawell to Singapore and beyond, Essential Flavours is planting trees. Since August 2020, they have partnered with Fifteen Trees to commit to purchasing 250 trees every month for community tree planting projects. And their tree tally has grown, we have now planted 8,217 trees across Victoria on their behalf.

An Essential Flavours Forest.

This year, to date, we have planted 1,500 trees at 2 Victorian sites; Nulla Vale and Bendigo.

Site A | Nulla Vale | 1,375 trees

These trees were planted as part of a revegetation project at a site that was burnt out in 2005. Some of the larger trees still standing include Grey Box, Iron Bark, Red Gum and Yellow Box. Nulla Vale Landcare members, made it a priority to plant these particular species of trees to help return the area to its original vegetation type. This is vitally important for the native wildlife who rely on these particular species of tree. In the interests of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, the volunteers also planted understory plants such as banksia, she-oak and tea trees.

Over time these trees will:

• Attract smaller and varied bird species. The more diverse the wildlife species the better. Creating microclimates allow for this diversity.
• Produce flowers that will attract bees, which are critical for pollination.
• Remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it both in the timber, branches, leaves, bark, roots and also the ground.
• Stabilise creeks to hold banks in place and reduce erosion.
• Provide a canopy to reduce water exposure to sunlight, reducing the production of algae and keeping water temps cooler in the hot summer. This protects wildlife that rely on the water, whether that be insects, mammals, yabbies, frogs, etc.
• Create connections between other plantings, allowing for a wildlife corridor.

It is encouraging to see organisations such as Fifteen Trees working with individuals and landcare groups to plant trees and make our planet a better place now and into the future. Many thanks to those who give to Fifteen Trees. Your support is very much appreciated.

Gerard Ryan | Member | Nulla Vale Landcare Group

Site  | Bendigo | 125 trees

These trees are forming part of regeneration and habitat projects where they will grow to stabilise soil, provide shade and food to native fauna, and encourage biodiversity.

The trees were planted during a community event within the Bendigo Creek Streamside Reserve on Djaara country.  The site is significant to Northern Bendigo Landcare Group because it is part of their Bendigo Creek Habitat Restoration Project. This Project is ongoing, indeed the group have been working on it for the past 10 years. Their aim is to boost the ailing Creek-line Grassy Woodland vegetation community.

The Landcare group have been holding group working bees to add mass plantings of native plants in exclusion plots for protection from rabbits. The group planted Lightwood Wattle, Black Wattle, Yellow Box and Golden Wattle that will provide shelter and food for local native animals such as sugar gliders, brushtail possums and honeyeater birds.

Thanks to those who all purchased trees with Fifteen Trees, this support enabled us to collaborate with a local primary school and provide a memorable outdoor learning experience for the youth of our area. We hope they’ll visit in future and admire their grown trees with pride.

Nicole Howe | Coordinator | Bendigo North Landcare

Since partnering with us, Essential Flavours have a relentless dedication to tree planting projects to create habitat, add biodiversity and all the other benefits that come with environmental care. We thank them for their generous support.

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] / phone 0400 040 659 and check out our Company page.

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.