Scott Doughty and Judy Corcoran from G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington are longtime supporters of local community groups and their tree planting projects. This year Scott, Judy and their team purchased 270 native trees (and tree guards) for the Sunshine Reserve at Mount Martha, VIC. This brings their tree tally to 2,295! They have been supporting us since 2016.

On National Tree Day (last Sunday in July) the Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group along with 40 volunteers (ranging in age from 2 to 90) planted 1,000 native trees, shrubs and grasses of which 270 were generously donated by Judy and Scott.

The reserve (which is on on Boonerwrung land), is home to a wide variety of native flora and fauna. It plays a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity of the Peninsula, providing habitat for many native species. It is also a critical canopy Bio-link adjoining Fairbairn Reserve, Mount Martha Park, Hearn Creek and Forest Drive. With key remnant areas, its conservation and habitat values are recognised as important reminders of original landscapes and how they once were.

A mixture of native species planted on the day included; Hop Goodenia, Small-flower Flax-lily, Common Apple-berry, Sweet Wattle, Common Tussock-grass, Common Correa, Spiny-headed Mat-rush, Purple Flag, Tall Sedge, Snowy Daisy-bush, Sweet Bursaria, Soft Spear-grass, Native Raspberry, Silver Banksia, Drooping Sheoak, Black Sheoak, Coastal Manna Gum, Manna Gum, Swamp Gum and Narrow-leaved Peppermint (which koala’s love)!

Over time, these trees will provide essential habitats for various native wildlife, including birds, mammals, and insects. Some of the larger animals can be found in the reserve include the Koala, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Common Brushtail Possum, Sugar Glider and Swamp Wallaby. Bird species include the Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Grey Fantail, New Holland Honeyeater, Magpie, White-plumed Honeyeater, Crimson Rosella, Rainbow Lorikeet and the Black Cockatoo,

These trees will help establish a wildlife corridor. Bio-links connect separate populations of wildlife, allowing animals to move between different areas and access resources, find mates, and maintain genetic diversity.

Thank you G.J. Gardner, for your support in helping us pay for trees, shrubs, and grasses for Sunshine Reserve’s National Tree Day event. Your contribution is invaluable in helping us strengthen our canopy corridors allowing fauna and flora to thrive, we just couldn’t do it without you.

Angie Fly | Co-Ordinator | Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group

G.J. Gardner’s core business is building homes. Safe, secure places for families to grow and thrive for many years to come. We love that alongside this G.J. Gardner is planting forests, which is very much the same thing; safe, secure places for fauna and flora to grow and thrive for many years to come. Thank you to Scott and Judy for your continued support since 2016.

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.