The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) is the industry association representing and advocating for the video games industry in Australia, including the developers, publishers and distributors of video games, as well as the makers of the most popular gaming platforms, consoles and devices.

IGEA also organises the annual Games Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP) conference for Australian game developers and the Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs) that celebrate the best Australian-made games each year. IGEA has over a hundred members, from emerging independent studios to some of the largest technology companies in the world. 

We’re proud to work side by side with both Fifteen Trees and our membership in securing the future of our industry. By prioritising eco sustainable practices now, we are ensuring that game makers and game players alike can continue to enjoy all the amazing stories and immersive worlds that the Australian games industry has to offer without compromising the planet for future generations.

Ceri Hutton | Director of Industry Development & Programs | IGEA

Brisbane Ranges | 480 trees | July 2024

This year the funds from IGEA went towards planting habitat trees for Victorian wild koala populations at The Brisbane Ranges by The Koala Clancy Foundation. Native tree species included River-red gum, Yellow gum, Manna gum, Sweet Bursaria, Wirilda and Lightwood. All trees were sourced from local indigenous nursery at Western Plains Flora.

The Wadawurrung are a recognised tribe (community) of this district, which consisted of some 25 clans that forms part of the Kulin Nation of Aboriginal people.

At Inverleigh, a small population of wild koalas are just hanging on. Many years ago all the woodland around them was cut down, isolating these koalas. Now modern farmers are keen to revegetate the streams, but they need our expert help. This project will restore an endangered ecosystem in a region that has lost 87% of its natural forest. This planting will effectively double the habitat for these koalas, giving them a lifeline.

Janine Duffy | President | Koala Clancy Foundation

The Koala Clancy Foundation is working with landowners and councils to provide connecting habitat corridors for their local koala populations. During the course of this planting season (April – September) they are aiming to plant close to 20,000 native trees.

Merricks, VIC | 384 trees | August 2023

On a cool but sunny Sunday in August, a number of local residents joined with the Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation and visitors to help plant native trees. The Merricks site on the Mornington Peninsula, (Monmar and is the traditional land of the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nations), was chosen to establish a wildlife corridor between fragmented outcrops of small  reserves. These corridors are important links that give safe passage to not only local koala population but also to the local echidnas, possums and kangaroos that live in the district.

This site is a significant habitat for koalas and other wildlife. The property has a few existing and mature gum trees and the property owner is keen to connect existing vegetation on his property and his neighbour’s properties to increase tree canopy and ground cover for local wildlife.

Some of the species of trees planted included: Coastal Manna, Swamp Gum, Narrow-leaf Peppermint Gum, Manna or Ribbon Gum. All food sources for koalas. As well as these larger trees, some smaller shrubs such as Hop Wattle, Dogwood, Prickly Tea-tree, and Kangaroo Apple were also planted.

The Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation would like to thank supporters of Fifteen Trees for purchasing trees on behalf for this revegetation site at Merricks, VIC.

Thank you for being a part of this project, which would not be possible without your generous contribution. We are now planning our fourth year of a multi year project.

Dirk Jansen | President |  MPKC

IGEA were hoping to carbon offset their time spent in the sky in the last Financial Year. Though we are a small company, our team is constantly requested to meet in person and attend conferences on behalf of the Games Industry. We’ve been across Australia, Europe and North America. We spent 383.5 hours in the air which I believe equates to 383.5* trees needed to be planted to offset our Carbon Emissions.

Molly Campbell | IGEA

*We rounded up.

Edgecombe, VIC | 420 trees | February 2023

This month, we planted 420 trees (60 trees per employee) at Edgecombe in the Campaspe Shire, Taungurung Country (Northern VIC) on the behalf of IGEA. The Shire of Campaspe is the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Yorta Yorta peoples. The planting group comprises of members who have rural properties in a part of the state that’s been extensively and intensively cleared since the 1840s. Members are aiming to re-establish some tree cover using locally indigenous species. They are also work on revegetating public lands, such as roadsides that are currently devoid of, or have very few, trees.

Some of the species planted included; Silver Wattles, Lightwoods, Black Wattles, Blackwoods, Bulokes, Dropping Sheokes, River Bottlebrushes, River Red Gums, Yellow Gums, Grey Boxes, Messmates, Snow Gums, Red Boxes and Manna Gums.

Many thanks to the sponsors. It would be a far more difficult job without your kind help, in fact very restrictive to proceed at all without your help.

Graham Connell | Member | Campaspe Valley Landcare Group

IGEA is considered the peak industry association representing and advocating for the video games industry in Australia and New Zealand. They have a vision of building a thriving and sustainable local industry, and believe that video games are one of the most powerful entertainment mediums for enjoyment, connection, education, business, health and creativity.

IGEA have ensured a better chance of survival for the creatures of the earth (animals and humans alike) by supporting the planting of native trees. We thank the crew at IGEA and say to them – well played! Pun intended.

If you are interested in how your business and Fifteen Trees could work together, contact Colleen at <[email protected]>  or check out our COMPANY page for more info.

Writer – Lou Ridsdale

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

She is a green thumb, Earth Lover, big-hearted nature freak, plus a savvy media and horticulture expert, who passionately believe 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 side hustle Hey Hoe Let’s Grow. 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