Sometimes there are really simple things everyone can do to reduce their carbon footprint. When staying at a hotel, choosing to skip the room cleaning and having a tree planted instead, is one of those things. Less cleaning means less emissions, and by planting a tree we increase the planet’s capacity to deal with climate change. We guarantee that trees donated by Australian hotels are planted in Australia, and we are very excited to now work with Fifteen Trees to ensure a true local impact for our partner hotels in Tasmania.

Hugo van Roermund | Manager | Hotels for Trees Australia

Tasmanian Tree Summary

• Mt Wellington – 45 trees
• Eaglehawk Neck – 100 trees
• Milford – 500 trees
• Premaydena – 400 trees

Site 1 | Mt Wellington, TAS | 45 trees

The trees were planted by members of ‘Land For Wildlife’ Phil Wise and his sons, Ned and Paddy. They were a mixture of Eucalyptus (Blue and Black Gums), Banksias, Melaleucas and Leptospermums. The area has been fenced off to provide a wild corridor for the local wildlife, such as the endangered Tasmanian Devil and Eastern Quolls.

I sincerely thank those who have forgone the cleaning of your room, to enable this small revegetation project to go ahead. This planting will provide important habitat for our unique local wildlife including the endangered Swift Parrot.

Phil Wise | Coordinator | Land For Wildlife TAS

Not all natural values are found in national parks, many are found on private property or along roadside reserves. Fifteen Trees is working with Land for Wildlife and landholders to create individual plans that protects native flora and fauna in people’s backyard and along the fence-lines of their property. Often, Land for Wildlife projects become connecting wildlife corridors giving animals safe passage between remnants of natural reserves.

Private landholders manage some of the most important areas for nature conservation in Tasmania. The Land for Wildlife program is a voluntary scheme which supports and recognises private landowners who are taking a positive approach to land management by integrating nature conservation into their properties. Land for Wildlife has 700 members who all make a valuable contribution to protecting nature and enhancing wildlife habitat across the state.

Site 2 | Eaglehawk Neck, TAS | 100 trees

The trees were a mixture of Eucalypts (Blue, Puchella and Black), Sheoaks, Blackwoods, Banksias and Hakeas and were planted by eight people with a passion for creating wildlife habitat for the unique Australian animals who live in this part of the world. The wedge tail eagles are often seen soaring overhead so we hope the eagles will eventually have more trees to perch in and watch out for prey. Fairy wrens, black cockatoo’s and many parrots will benefit from habitat extension as well as all the insects and smaller mammals the trees will provide for.

The land used to be used for farming then was subdivided, it backs onto the Tasman national park and so will provide a corridor for animals moving between the park and the adjacent farmland. The planting will also enhance the native environment by helping prevent further erosion.

Thank you for all your support in helping us restore a piece of land that will beneficial to a broad range of biodiversity for many generations to come and enjoy. This planting helps strengthen community ties by creating a space all can enjoy in the future. It creates a connection that we can look back in the future and remember how we created and helped wildlife by enhancing biodiversity as a team.

Kate Percell | Member | Gardens for Wildlife TAS

Site 3 | Milford, TAS | 500 trees

The trees were planted at Milford, TAS on the traditional lands of the Tyerrernotepanner People. The tribe of 60–80 people, followed a seasonal cycle of foraging in North Oyster Bay in winter, conducting kangaroo hunts around Campbell Town in spring, and collecting and trading ochre in the Western Tiers in the summer months.

We are very grateful for the financial support provided by Fifteen Trees and their sponsors this year, it assisted us with planting 500 trees in a very cold windswept area of our property. This planting will make life much more pleasant for wildlife and humans too – thank you.

Jan Hamilton | Member | Land Conservatory TAS

On a sunny but cold morning in spring, nine (9) people attended the planting day. Volunteers were comprised of family, friends and neighbours who worked in teams of 2 allowing people to interact more deeply over the course of the morning. One attendee was a young man who was recovering from a succession of five surgeries. This planting day was his first day outside gathering community. The plants were a mixture of wattles (Silver, Black, Midlands, Blackwood), eucalypts (Swamp Gum, Swamp Gum, Black Swamp Gum, White Gum), sheoaks, banksias, bottlebrushes, hakeas (Beaked, Tiny Devil), paperbarks and tea trees.

The native environment will be enhanced by the recreation of the endemic vegetation, which over time will provide habitat for native birds, bugs, reptiles and mammals, these trees will also provide shelter from the chilling NW winds of Midland Tasmania. Some of the wildlife who call this area home include quolls, devils, possums, Forester Kangaroos, potoroos, wallaby, snakes, sea eagles, wedge-tailed eagles, and a host of native birds such as Black swans, hawks, kookaburra, cockatoos, rosellas, wattle birds and honey eaters.

Site 4 | Premaydena, TAS | 400 trees

This season another 400 native trees, shrubs and grasses were planted at Premaydena on the beautiful Tasman Peninsula thanks to the Hotels For Trees initiative. This project marks another step in restoring the health and resilience of this unique landscape. The planting mix includes stringybark, peppermint and a variety of eucalyptus species, along with carefully selected understory shrubs and grasses. Together, these species will help rebuild native habitat, stabilise soils, support native pollinators, and restore the natural layers of vegetation that once thrived here.

As this site regenerates, it will provide vital habitat for the native animals that roam this region. Tasmanian devils, wombats and echidnas are regular visitors, and the area is also home to the critically endangered Swift Parrot. Increasing native vegetation helps create safe feeding and nesting opportunities for these species, supporting the long-term biodiversity of the peninsula.

Huge thanks to everyone who helped make this possible. Every tree helps, and it’s great to see so many people getting behind our restoration project. Projects like this are made possible through the ongoing support of our partners and community.

Each tree planted contributes directly to restoring ecological balance and ensuring that the unique wildlife of lutruwita/Tasmania can continue to flourish. We look forward to watching this site return to a thriving pocket of native bushland.

Julia Champtalorp | Member | Tasmania Land Conservancy

Here’s a great little video (3min) about the Hotels for Trees initiative.

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.