G.J. Gardner Homes Ararat has been supporting our community tree planting projects since 2013, and in that time, we have planted 4,800 trees in the Ararat, Horsham and Hamilton Districts due to their generous support. That impressive number comes from G.J. Gardner Ararat planting 15 native trees for every new home built.

This year Ashley and Sally Heard and their team purchased 375 native trees for the Ararat region (Djab Wurrung country). The trees were planted at Mt Dryden, VIC within the lands of the Djabwurung people, by Project Platypus volunteers.

This area has an impressive amount of remnant bushland that is dominated by old growth River Red Gums and a seasonal creek which hosts remnant shrub and grass species. The site also has the equal largest River Red Gum in Australia with a circumference of approximately 15m.

The planted seedlings consisted of a diversity of tree and shrub species that will boost the biodiversity of the area and add to the value of the remnant Red Gums. The plants were a mixture of Blackwood, Hop Bush, Prickly tea tree, Black Wattle, Silver Banksia, Varnish Wattle, Wallaby Grass, Drooping Sheoak, Bull Oak and Light Wood.

This planting will also provide under-story, mid-story and over-story habitat for birds, mammals and reptiles in the area including the vulnerable powerful owl (which is listed as vulnerable under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988). The increase in biodiversity will also boost invertebrate populations providing food for larger animals.

Thank you GJG for providing your support to this very rewarding community revegetation project. It provided additional trees that boosted our achievements for the day and will provide additional habitat for our wildlife into the future.

Connor Beven | Revegetation Officer | Project Platypus

Thank you to Sally and Ashley for helping us support community groups such as Project Platypus who protect and enhance our rural reserves. Thank you also for the additional funding for tree guards. These guards help protect the new seedlings and gives them protection from grazers, in particular rabbits and kangaroos. Inside the plastic sleeves, the microclimate created protects the seedlings from harsh UV, drifting sand, frost, and wind. Once the seedlings survive their first summer and get the opportunity to develop a strong taproot, their chances of survival skyrockets.

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]>.

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.