G.J. Gardner Homes has been supporting our community tree planting projects since 2013, and in that time, we have planted over 75,000 trees across Victoria and Tasmania due to their generous support. That impressive number comes because G.J. Gardner plants 15 native trees for every home it builds in Tasmania and Victoria.

Scott Doughty and Judy Corcoran from G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington are generous supporters of local community groups, and their tree planting projects. This year Scott, Judy and their team purchased 285 native plants trees in two locations in the Mornington region: Beleura Cliff (95 trees) and Strattons Lane (190 trees).

G.J. Gardner prides itself on being a practical, hands-on family affair, and in past years staff have happily gone out with their local community to plant their trees themselves. To keep the local connection, all trees are planted near the offices managing the builds, between 200-900 trees for every district. Local Landcare groups determine the best tree species for the site. The seedlings themselves are often grown by local independent nurseries who have collected seed from the region by hand (with the proper licensing, of course). The sites that have been planted have included nature reserves, parklands, roadsides, school grounds, riverbanks & rural properties.

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.

Site A: Beleura Cliff (95 trees)

In steep terrain the volunteers heartily planted vegetation that will withstand winds, rain and summer heat, for many generations to enjoy.

Iconic scenic walk, Beleura Cliff Path is a feature of the Mornington cliffs leading down to Mills Beach. Almost 750m long it has a moderate grade with a good surface, famous for its serenity and stunning views of the coast and rocky beaches below. Mega popular with a range of locals and visitors alike, from serious joggers to elderly walkers and sightseers. Occasionally you can spot dolphins playing in the water on this path. Formerly known as “The Goat Track”, officially the shire sometimes refers to it as the Caraar Creek Lane Coastal Walk.

Site B: Strattons Lane (190 trees)

Popular urban walkway, Strattons Lane in Mornington links east Beleura Hill to Main St via Stones Crossing, had a well received makeover recently thanks to G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington. The heavily used path crosses Tanti Creek at a particularly picturesque spot, however the laneway itself is rather bare, with no garden beds or vegetation.

Tanti Creek Friends (TCF) have been collaborating with the Mornington Peninsula Shire making the area more attractive by converting several lawn areas along the path to native gardens.  It is expected that the plantings will also reduce the incidence of graffiti in the area.

Since 2020 G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington supported TCF with 300 plants at their inaugural planting day in July. The plants have thrived, and in May 2021 they teamed up again for another excellent planting session. In attendance were four staff from G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington, eight TCF volunteers and a supervisor from the Mornington Shire’s bushland management contractor Naturelinks.

“We undertook infill and extension planting to increase the vegetation density and species diversity. The plants included some less common species including Parrot-peas (Dillwynia), Bulbine lilies, Purple Flags (Patersonia), Bush-peas (Pultanaea) and Creeping Bossiaea. We received lots of positive feedback from local residents using the path.  They commented on how much the plantings had improved the attractiveness of the lane. We look forward to working again with G.J. Gardner Homes in 2022.” Marty Lenard, tree planting volunteer & Mornington local.

If you are also interested in how your business and Fifteen Trees could work together, contact Bianca at <[email protected]> and ask for a no obligation proposal or check out our COMPANY page for more info.

Writer

Lou Ridsdale is a big fan of words and has been our Comms Manager since 2019.

She is a big-minded green thumb, Earth Lover, big-hearted nature freak plus a savvy media and horticulture expert, who passionately believe that everyone is capable of leading a more nourishing and sustainable life. Her passion for education + communication being the most empowering tool for change is reflected in her setting up her own digital/comms agency Hey Hoe Let’s Grow Socials. She also founded Food Is Free Inc. a unique grassroots food security platform specialising in food security education. She fell in love with trees after reading The Magic Faraway Tree as a child.

You can find Lou here