Every now and then you come across someone who radiates enough energy to power a small town. Gus Balbontin is one such someone. Formerly Executive Director of Lonely Planet, Gus now travels around changing the world on his own terms through his innovation agency, Neu21. When he’s not inspiring the populace en masse, he hangs out at home in Victoria, taking many small steps to walk the talk of creating a resilient, adaptable future.

Gus is known for his rebellious thoughts. He is slightly unconventional, counter intuitive and has a sharp common sense. Always challenging, pushing the boundaries and curiously exploring. Gus loves helping others connect with their own rebellious thoughts – we all have them but over time some of us stop paying attention, we give up and do what the system tells us to do, not what makes sense.

Daintree Rainforest, QLD | 100 trees | 2025

Daintree Life, in conjunction with local community volunteers planted the trees at Newell QLD (traditionally Nulu Country) which is part of a bigger restoration project called The Bells Road Project.

These trees have been planted as a thank you gift for the team at ICMI.

The trees were planted over a number of weeks, during which 121 people attended. This number included school groups who are learning about;

• the geography of the local area,
• what wildlife are specific to the area,
• how the tree planting will provide ongoing food resource and habitat for the wildlife,
• the importance of various tree species specific to invertebrates that rely solely on an individual species for food resource, and
• the positive effects of tree planting in relation to carbon sequestration and climate change.

Daintree Life included in the planting a large variety of indigenous tree species specific to the area including figs, Eucalypts, Melaleucas, Acacias and other species such as Red Cedar, Brown Silky Oak, Brown Pine, Golden Penda to name a few.

This planting site is in the Lower Daintree rainforest area of Tropical Far North Queensland with a waterway which feeds directly to the Great Barrier Reef. The site where the revegetation work is being conducted is part of a large farm area which was previously cleared for cane and cattle farming; however, the area is very low lying and is not suitable for hooved animal farming. The landowners have chosen to return this area of the property back to authentic rainforest, compete with State Government protection, which has been included to the title deeds of the property ensuring protection for perpetuity.

The land was unsuitable for farmland and due to an overburden of weeds and has also not been of benefit for wildlife as habitat or food resource. But by replacing the weeds with forest, it will now provide both habitat and food.

We are eternally grateful to Fifteen Trees and their sponsors who continue to support our work. Without this ongoing support we cannot continue to do what we do in revegetation, expanding habitat and improving the environment of our unique area and supporting our local wildlife.

Connie Pinson | Partner and Founder | Daintree Life

Numerous bird species have been observed and taking advantage of the revegetation. These species include, but are not limited to: Yellow-bellied Sunbirds, Greater Egrets, Willie wagtails, Rainbow Bee-eaters, multiple species of Kingfishers and Masked Lapwings. Graceful tree frogs and Rocket frogs are regularly sighted within the planting areas. There is lots of evidence of Bandicoot diggings between trees and on the edges. A Water Python has been sighted in the revegetation area.  Numerous species of butterflies and dragonflies have been observed within the area. In the future as trees attain additional height and begin flowering and fruiting, the entire area will provide a valuable food resource for Spectacled Flying-foxes which are a federally listed endangered species.

Sunshine Reserve, VIC | 100 trees | 2024

We recently planted 100 native trees on the behalf of Gus at Sunshine Reserve on the Mornington Peninsula, VIC with the Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group. The reserve (which is on traditional Boonerwrung land), is home to a wide variety of native flora and fauna. It plays a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity of the Mornington Peninsula, providing habitat for many native species. It is also a critical canopy Bio-link adjoining Fairbairn Reserve, Mount Martha Park, Hearn Creek and Forest Drive. With key remnant areas, its conservation and habitat values are recognised as important reminders of original landscapes and how they once were.

Thank you Gus, for the additional funding for tree guards. These guards helps protect the new seedlings and gives them protection from grazers, in particular rabbits and kangaroos. Inside the plastic sleeves, a microclimate helps protect them 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.

Gus now has a personal tally of 400 trees! You can find all their trees by typing Gus Balbontin into the search box at Find My Trees. 

If you would like to know more about sponsoring community tree planting projects, 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.