Ross Morley, Managing Director of G. J. Gardner Homes has been supporting our native environment (through Fifteen Trees) since 2013 and has helped plant over 30,000 trees across Victoria and Tasmania. For every new home built, Fifteen Trees organises the planting of 15 trees in the local district. This year, the project will see over 8,500 trees planted by schools, landcare and various environmental groups. Kris Gill and Danny Breen from G. J. Gardner Homes Bendigo are generous supporters of local community groups and their tree planting projects. This year, this duo purchased 1090 trees for Nicole Howie and her Northern Bendigo Landcare Group. The trees went across 2 sites. One at Huntly Bush Kinder and the other at the Bendigo Streamside Reserve.   [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Here is Nicole’s report …

Our first planting event was held on Wednesday 26^th July when our Landcare group facilitated the Huntly Kinder children buddying with Grade 5 students from both Epsom and Huntly PS to plant 150 plants at their Bush Kinder site – an important piece of remnant bushland in the heart of Huntly.  This was a beautiful day with children working together to plant, guard and water 3 plants each.  Huntly Kinder children attend Bush Kinder for 3hrs each Wednesday at this site and enjoy climbing trees, building cubbies, hunting for bugs and learning about the flora and fauna.  They are watching the season unfold and developing a connection with the land that we hope will encourage them to be life-long custodians of the natural environment. GJ Gardner staff attended both the morning and afternoon session and helped out.  It was lovely to have them there and thank them personally.

Our second planting event was held on Sunday 30^th July when our Landcare group hosted a community National Tree Day event at the Bendigo Streamside Reserve.  Our group has been conducting revegetation, weed control, installation of nest boxes, monitoring and community engagement events within the Reserve over the past 8 years and this event added native understorey to a large area devoid of native vegetation.  This will increase the width of the riparian zone and enhance waterway health and connectivity along the reserve. GJ Gardner staff were unable to attend but generously provided morning tea for participants which was greatly appreciated.

Nicole Howie | Secretary | Northern Bendigo Landcare Group

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Massive thank you to Kris and Danny for their support and for heading out to Huntly to help plant. Thanks also to Nicole for finding a home for all these trees (1090). A great coordinating effort.

Slàinte – Colleen

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