Anthony and Fiona Ruff from G.J. Gardner Homes Central Gippsland are generous supporters of local community groups and their tree planting projects. This year Anthony, Fiona and their team purchased 330 native trees for the Maffra and Districts Landcare Network (MDLN), bringing their total number of trees to 4,035. The team from Sale, have been supporters of Fifteen Trees since 2013.

The planting was undertaken by members of the George Grey Centre and Maffra Primary School with support from the Maffra and Districts Landcare Network. The traditional name of this area is Wirn Wirndook Yeerung. The plants were a mixture of indigenous native trees, shrubs and grasses. Species include; Lomandra, Gippsland Plains Red-gum, Narrow Peppermint Gum, Wooly Tea-tree and other indigenous species associated with the district.

The planting site was along a connectivity trail on the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail at Macalister River. These trees will support small and large birds, insects and native mammals. Once grown, these trees will have nesting boxes erected to house even more species. These trees will also increase the amount of shade and shelter for animals and recreational users of the rail trail and as a whole will reduce the heat radiation throughout the area during the warmer months of the year. Some of the species of native wildlife in the area include; Wedged tailed eagle, Whistling Kite, Fairy Wren, Yellow-tailed thornbill, Flame robin, Eastern Rosella, Ring-tailed possum, Brush-tailed possum, native bee and Grey-headed flying fox.

Thank you for providing our network the opportunity to bring community together to enhance our local environment, improve the quality of life for local fauna species and create local stewardship.

Bonnie Reeves | Network Facilitator | Maffra and Districts Landcare Network

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.

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.