G.J. Gardner Homes Wodonga has been supporting our community tree-planting projects since 2013. In that time, an incredible 8,760 native trees have been planted across the Wodonga district thanks to their ongoing generosity.

Each year, Fifteen Trees plants 15 native trees for every new home built by the Wodonga team – a tangible and lasting contribution to the local environment.

This year, Adam and Simone Gregor purchased 600 native trees for planting in the beautiful Wodonga region of northern Victoria. We acknowledge the Wiradjuri, Waveroo and Dhudhuroa peoples as the Traditional Owners and original custodians of this land near Albury and Wodonga.

Upper Kiewa Valley Planting Project | 600 trees

There were two sites for this project. The first site was at the confluence or meeting place of the Kiewa River and Simmonds Creek. The second site was at Mt Beauty. Over the course of 5 days, 49 Landcare members along with Tawonga Primary School students and teachers planted 600 trees (including shrubs and grasses).

Trees planted were all local species included Eucalypts (gums), Kunzea, Acacias (Wattles), Leptospermum (Tea Trees), Callistemons and Poa (Grasses).

The Upper Kiewa Valley is a unique area incorporating low land, foothills and alpine plants. In fact, there are over 300 species represented in this valley. Many of the plants grow in the higher alpine areas. The Upper Kiewa Valley Native Plant Arboretum is being developed to showcase some of the local flora.

The Upper Kiewa Landcare and Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups greatly appreciate the continued support of GJ Gardner Wodonga. This company has sponsored many of our environmental projects over many years. They really have made a difference.

John Gibbons | Leader | Upper Kiewa Landcare

These plantings were designed to create a corridor for native wildlife, in particular birdlife such as blue wrens, fan tails, yellow and red breasted robins, pardalotes, magpies, kookaburras, ducks and cormorants.

We also thank the team at GJG 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 B. 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.