We love it when businesses take us literally. Like the Macneil Group, which plants fifteen trees for each vehicle in its fleet. For those new to us, our name – Fifteen Trees – comes from a carbon offsetting calculation. The combined emissions from running a regular car for one year can be offset by planting fifteen trees. If this seems like a lot of trees…it is. Cars are polluters, there are no two ways about it. The Macneil Group’s decision to link its tree planting to its fleet recognises that there are ongoing environmental costs to growth.

Growth is something the Macneil Group does well. With numerous commercial and residential developments under their belt, and a management team with well over 80 years combined experience in the industry, the Macneil Group is a trusted source of expertise in Western Victoria.

The Macneil Group’s latest 150 trees have been planted by the Blamganie Meredith Landcare Group headed by Nick Mckinley. The trees were integrated into ongoing projects where numerous landholders are protecting and enhancing remnant vegetation. To protect the seedlings, fencing has been erected to exclude stock. For further protection, all trees have been planted with tree guards (plastic sleeves and stakes) to discourage rabbits and to create a perfect micro-climate for the new seedlings.

In the same way it takes multiple people and groups to develop a building project, so too does it take the effort and commitment of many to create a forest. We are glad to work with a developer that recognises the interconnectedness of all things.

Writer – Sarah Hart.

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.

To find out how we can help you run your next event with a small carbon footprint, contact us <[email protected]> and read more here.