In the face of global challenges like climate change it can be so easy to feel overwhelmed. What difference can I make, me, one tiny person? But the thing is – it’s not just you. It’s me too. And her. And him, and them over there, and their friends, and the bus driver, and the salesperson, and old mate down the street, and on and on. It’s us.

Together, as individuals, we can make significant change. Think of people like Greta Thunberg, who went from a lone figure protesting on the steps of her parliament to the symbolic leader of a worldwide youth climate movement. Think of the social justice marches of the past few years, those rivers of people taking over our streets and calling for change. All individuals. All making a difference.

We see it very clearly here are Fifteen Trees. We have hundreds of individuals who purchase small numbers of trees, because that’s what they can do right now. But those small numbers add up to a big deal. Thousands of trees have been planted thanks to small personal gestures of generosity and forward-thinking. First a rustle, then a roar, and finally a forest.

This is the power of acting individually and working collectively. If you think you can’t make an impact, we’re here to tell you you can. Because it’s never just you. It’s all of us, and we’re facing these challenges together.

Individuals can have a huge impact when working collectively. The evidence is right here. This year, to date, 36 individuals have collectively enabled us to plant 630 trees across 3 sites in Tasmania. Thank you to those individuals who have purchased 15 trees to reduce their car’s carbon emissions for one year. Thank you to those individuals who have purchased trees as gifts for friends, colleagues and families. And thank you to those individuals who have purchased trees in memory of a loved one. And finally thank you to those who have purchased trees to reduce the carbon footprint of their flights, sales and just because!

You are all eco-rockstars!

Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.

Margaret Mead (1901 – 1978)

Shout out to the following people who have purchased 15 trees –

• Patrick Vartuli,
• Tony Stuart,
• John Warren,
• Rhiannon Irving,
• Ashley Bedford,
• Richard in memory of her father Andy,
• Claire Hutchinson,
• Sarah Brennan Artist,
• Gnat Atherden,
• Charles Taliaferro for his students – Mellie, Zack, Grace, Madelyn, Miranda, Marissa, Brigitte, Ms. Ash, Annika, Clair, Emma, Logan, Joud and Max,
• Darin French,
• Todd Ross-Kellow,
• Tania Sabatino,
• Lynden Nicholls,
• Douchka Schmitz as a condolence to Andrew Wells on the loss of his partner Norman,
• Alan Joffe,
• Glenn Groves,
• Gnat Atherden as a 21st gift for Tanisha Clarke,
• J.McKenzie,
• Erin Klapper,
• Mary Debrett,
• Alex Pritchard,
• Crystal Schaaf and Boston friends as a condolence to Michael Hill in memory of his mother Mavis Hill,
• Stephen Edwards,
• Zareena Osmani for her dear friends Mulashom, Bibi Gul, Osmani family, Shah Gul, Mirmad, Zaman Momo, Shameela, Sadya, Semra, Mansoor, Tawfeeq, Haniya, Waheeda, Emine and Ghayoor,
• Sam Barnes,
• Belinda Hulstrom,
• Jennifer Lucy.

= 28 X 15 = 420

Huge gratitude to those who purchased 30 trees

• Beth Burgess on the behalf of the Ballarat Soroptimist Club,
• Anna Coloe who purchased 15 trees in memory of David Ebbs and 15 trees in memory of Angelo Fiusco,
• Alison Barnes for Zach’s birthday, ‘Happy Birthday Zach, from mumma xx‘,
• Scott Handsaker for Gus Balbontin,

4 X 30 = 120

And big thank you also to:

• Robert Muir for purchasing 60 trees as a late Christmas gift to the Arvier Family, Meg, Peter, Chris and Andrew,
• Tammy Harty for purchasing 21 trees for Mikayla Krause. ‘Happy Birthday beautiful girl. Love Nan and Pa Krause, Harty aunties, uncles and cousins‘.
• Emily Paige Duggan for purchasing 9 trees.

= 90 trees

Site 1. Launceston (120 trees).

 

All plants received were in great condition and made planting quite pleasant. We allocated locations for different plant species early on, as the hillside has a varied range of soil types, ranging from heavy clay to sandy loamy soil. With a few natural wet gullies in which we focused backwoods and tea trees.

I am so proud on what we have achieved here in such a short period of time! I am so excited and passionate to return this hillside and dam area to its former glory. As I believe it sits in a very important area and can be a positive change to the river system.

I’d like to thank the supporters of Fifteen Trees. I feel It is so important to establish and keep safe our native ecological habitats. So, thank you for that!!

Lachlan and Regan Parkinson | Members | Tammar NRM (Natural resource Management)

 

Site 2. Dodges Ferry (125 trees).

I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for your continued support of tree donations. We have used them this year to do multiple plantings, some at the Dodges Ferry Primary School (a continuation from last year), an area near Park Beach, a community garden in Nubeena and at our own Okines Community Garden.

Thanks again for your excellent and continued support. This little pink robin is a frequent visitor to this area.

Sonja Ralph | Community Garden Coordinator | Dodges Ferry.

Site 3. Hobart and District (385 trees).

Dear Supporters of Fifteen Trees,

We are all so grateful to have the sponsorship! You have enabled several long-term projects to continue. Formally logged forests have had natural regeneration efforts boosted, riverbanks have been stabilised, wildlife corridors extended, natives planted where weeds used to be, and conservation covenants maintained. Gosh that’s cheered me up just typing it! Don’t we all need a bit of positive news like that right now!

Priscilla Richards | Landcare Services Manager | Landcare Tasmania

 

Words by Colleen Filippa and Sarah Hart.

Colleen is the founder and Director of Fifteen Trees.

Sarah is an artist whose passions include the stories and experiences of women and narrative driven work. Her aim is to delight, to reveal glimpses of everyday beauty and to celebrate flights of the ordinary. Sarah works across a range of media, with an abiding interest in pen and ink, mixed media and the human form. You can find Sarah here.