Regular followers of Fifteen Trees will know that the team behind Jellis Craig are enthusiastic supporters of our tree planting projects. For every house sold, Jellis Craig (through Fifteen Trees) plants five trees. All up this year, 1250 trees have gone into the ground courtesy of this company.     Many of these trees were planted by students, reflecting the strong links to community and local environment that have made Jellis Craig such a familiar part of the Victorian real estate landscape. Urquhart Primary School recently planted 200 trees. Ballarat High School also got involved, proving that trees and good intentions will get kids of all ages out of doors, even in the middle of a Central Highlands winter. The remainder of the trees were planted by Melbourne school students who made their way to Narmbool at different times throughout the season.  

  Tree plantings organised through Fifteen Trees are almost always part of a larger, site-specific project, including the plantings at Narmbool sponsored by Jellis Craig. Narmbool, a heritage property near Elaine, has 2 long-term goals: one to create habitat around its water bodies and two, to create native corridors for fauna migration across its extensive paddocks. Revegetating Narmbool has not been without its challenges. It was ravaged by bushfires in 2015 and the property is prone to erosion. Therefore, very tree planted has a purpose, and every tree will contribute to a healthier, more diverse, and more resilient ecosystem. Fifteen Trees has been the go-between in this case, connecting the sponsor, the students and the project.  

  Planting trees might not be uppermost in mind when one is in the midst of buying or selling property. But afterwards perhaps, when the dust has settled, it’s lovely to know that for Jellis Craig clients this simple, wholesome, optimistic gesture has been part and parcel of the transaction. Thank you to Tim Valpied and Tony Douglass for your sponsorship and commitment to our beautiful natural environment in Ballarat and surrounds. Thank you also to Matt and Damon from Narmbool who have coordinated the plantings.   Writer – Sarah Hart.   Sarah is an emerging self-taught artist whose passions include the stories and experiences of women and narrative driven creative 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. Facebook – Sarah Hart Creative. If you would like Fifteen Trees to organise some tree planting on your behalf or organise a team building day, contact Colleen at <[email protected]> or on 0400 040 659.  In the meantime, you can find out more information here. Did you know that 93% of Victorians believe business and industry should take action to be more sustainable (Sustainability Vic 2017).