Whilst it’s been a stellar year for planting (thanks to all the wonderful rain we’ve had), 2021 and the omnipresent virus has meant we’ve encountered some hurdles such as lockdowns and outdoor gatherings number restrictions making it tricky for our plantings. However, we consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have our amazing planting groups who are very much still out planting trees for the planet.

One such planting took place thanks to combining the super-powers of Hopkins Falls Landcare Group, and G.J Gardner Homes, Warrnambool.

This year’s planting covered a mix of sites, with a focus on a degraded slope at the popular Hopkins Falls Tourist site. The aim being, to improve this section, which is frequented by many tourists annually, on the walk down to the base of the Hopkins Falls.

Planting was then continued above Hopkins Falls along a 1km riverside section to improve protection and provide vital food source for koala’s who frequent the area. The main species planted where Manna Gum, River Red Gum and Swamp Gums. Due to another year of Covid restrictions planting was completed by members of the Hopkins Falls Landcare Group.

I would like to thank GJ Gardner for their continued support and to Fifteen Trees in making this arrangement possible, their staff are wonderful to work with, providing excellent communication & friendly advice.

Jane O’Beirne | Coordinator | Hopkins Falls Landcare Group

A re-visit was also done of last year’s funded GJ Gardner trees planted which showed a promising result with great growth & rate success.

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.

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.

Andrew Womersley from G.J. Gardner Homes Warrnambool is a generous supporter of local community groups. This year Andrew and his team purchased 360 native plants trees for the Hopkins Falls Landcare Group to plant on their behalf. 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.

If you are also interested in how your business and Fifteen Trees could work together, contact Bianca at <[email protected]> and ask for a proposal that will fit in with your business model.

Writer Lou Ridsdale

Lou 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 believes that everyone can lead 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