Linking trees to attendance figures at events is a simple and rewarding way to mitigate the environmental impact. Every year, Linux does just that! This year, their trees went to Steamside Reserve, VIC.

Running since 1999, linux.conf.au is the largest Linux and open source conference in the Asia-Pacific region. For techno-luddites like us, linux.conf is a conference for people who know a lot about the inner workings of operating systems and data, and who use this knowledge to connect and engage communities all over the world. The linux conference itself is a festival of expertise and ideas delivered by leaders in the field, and a rich platform for education, inspiration, and collaboration.

For the 2023 conference, held in January, organisers gave attendees the opportunity to purchase a tree to help reduce the carbon footprint of their attendance.

This came to a total of 78 trees!

The trees were planted by Northern Bendigo Landcare (NBL) who held their annual National Tree Day event at the Huntly Streamside Reserve, VIC. The volunteers planted native species alongside the Bendigo Creek. This corridor had been damaged in the past due to gold mining and grazing.

Forty-eight (48) people turned out to help plant the trees.  A highlight was having students from a nearby Primary School attend with their families. These students are part of the school’s Green Magpies, a group of sustainability leaders.  They were extremely keen and enjoyed being involved in practical community action to complement school learning.

The tech world might seem at first glance to be entirely removed from the natural world. But as linux experts in particular realise – everything is interconnected. Firstly, there is the simple fact that every component of every computer system in the world is ultimately reliant on natural and often finite resources. Secondly, what is technology for if not to create a better world? It makes perfect sense to us that an event fundamentally centred on working together would plant trees.

Are you planning a conference or event? We’d love to help you run a small footprint one! Check out some of our ideas and contact Colleen at <[email protected]> if you’d like us to plant some trees on your behalf.

One tree per attendee is a great place to start.

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.