Since its beginnings as part of a global research-intensive biopharmaceutical company that strives to improve health and well-being around the world, MSD Australia has been committed not only to scientific innovation but also to giving back to the communities it serves. MSD invests in people by supporting environmental and social initiatives that align with its mission to enable a sustainable and healthy future for all.
In partnership with local community groups, MSD has now helped plant over 500 native trees, contributing to greener spaces and improving biodiversity.
This year, the crew from MSD Bendigo, joined in with the local community to go out tree planting and together planted well over 600 native trees and shrubs including, River Red Gum, Yellow Box, Red Flowering Gum, Red Iron Bark, Green Mallee, River She-oak, Narrow-leaved Peppermint and Swamp Oak.
The area is called Goornong which means kangaroo, apple or smelly plant. The traditional owners of the land are the Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples.
Years of deforestation and agricultural use have removed most of the remanent native vegetation. The aim of the Landcare team is to replant what was originally there to improve biodiversity and entice back the native wildlife. The planting site will provide a safer corridor for animal movement as it connects two significant tree lines.
Thanks to the generosity of MSD and Fifteen Trees who contributed staff and their time, 600 trees and morning tea for the project. Such vision and generosity to NBLG was the impetus to start the project and with physical help to plant the trees the project was completed.
Bernadette Maloney | Member | Northern Bendigo Landcare Group
Due to the proximity to the Bendigo Creek and a decades long effort to establish shelter belts and wood lots on farm, there are many animals in the area.
There are resident kangaroos, small black wallabies, native water rats, brush-tailed possums, ring-tailed possums, lace monitors, eastern long necked turtles, numerous frogs, shingleback lizards, bearded dragons, skinks and of course brown snakes. Many birds also frequent the area form the resident wedge tail eagles, kookaburras, whistling kites, noisy miners, dusky wood swallows, eastern rosellas, welcome swallows, little ravens, magpies, galah, yellow cockatoo, corellas, blue wren, white-plumed honeyeater, willy wagtails and grey shrike-thrush. The local wetlands and creek have resident pacific ducks, wood ducks, purple swamphen, dusky moorhen, yellow billed spoonbills, ibis, eastern great egret, white necked heron and many more. Pelicans on farm dams are occasional visitors.
Daintree Life in conjunction with local community volunteers planted the trees at Newell, QLD (Nulu Country). They were planted over several days, during which local school students took part. While planting, the students also learned about:
The site was unsuitable for farmland and due to an overburden of weeds and has not been of benefit for wildlife as a food resource. But by replacing the weeds with forest, it will now provide both habitat and food. Included in the planting was a large variety of indigenous tree species specific to the area including figs, Eucalypts, Melaleucas, Acacias and other species such as Red Cedar, Brown Silky Oak, Brown Pine, Golden Penda to name a few.
This planting site, in the Lower Daintree rainforest area of Tropical Far North Queensland, includes a waterway flowing directly to the Great Barrier Reef. The site where the revegetation work is being conducted is part of a large farm area which was previously cleared for cattle farming. The landowners have chosen to return this area of the property back to authentic rainforest, compete with State Government protection, which has been included to the title deeds of the property ensuring protection for perpetuity.
We are eternally grateful to Fifteen Trees and their sponsors who continue to support our work. Without this ongoing support we cannot continue to do what we do in revegetation, expanding habitat and improving the environment of our unique area and supporting our local wildlife.
Connie Pinson | Partner and Founder | Daintree Life
Numerous bird species have been observed and taking advantage of the revegetation. These species include, but are not limited to: Yellow-bellied Sunbirds, Greater Egrets, Willie wagtails, Rainbow Bee-eaters, multiple species of Kingfishers and Masked Lapwings. Graceful tree frogs and Rocket frogs are regularly sighted within the planting areas. There is lots of evidence of Bandicoot diggings between trees and on the edges. A Water Python has been sighted in the revegetation area. Numerous species of butterflies and dragonflies have been observed within the area. In the future as trees attain additional height and begin flowering and fruiting, the entire area will provide a valuable food resource for Spectacled Flying-foxes which are a federally listed endangered species.
MSD trees have been planted along the northern coastline in Tasmania at a place called Turners Beach. The planting group in the area, are aiming to enhance natural values and protect the natural vegetation corridors and habitat for native fauna including the iconic Tasmanian Devil.
The trees provided will help with problems such as:
The plants received were used to revegetate sites within the coastal reserve at Turners Beach, where the group had previously cleared cape ivy. The ivy was very dense and had unfortunately replaced the native vegetation in some areas. Its removal resulted in large cleared spaces which the plants have now filled and will hopefully be complimented with some natural regeneration. Planting occurred during a number of working bees with local volunteers.
Huge thank you for our trees.
Wendy Horniblow | Member | Turners Beach Coastcare Inc.
This year, we gathered up the trees and planted them with the Campaspe Valley Landcare Group at 2 sites – Redesdale and Watchbox in Barfold, VIC.
Redesdale District.
Thanks to all supporters of Fifteen Trees, our Landcare group has been able to plan for our revegetation works for 2021. This year we have concentrated mostly on regional roadsides and bushland blocks.
David Cheal | Communications Secretary | Campaspe Landcare
At both sites, River red gums, Lightwoods and Golden Wattles were planted as well as numerous native shrubs and smaller trees.
Thank you to everyone listed above for your contribution to our community tree planting groups. By providing them with trees, they are able to confidently plan their revegetation projects knowing that they have trees to plant.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can take many forms but for us … tree planting hits a number of targets!
Thank you MSD for your support of our tree planting projects for another year.
If you would like to know more about sponsoring community tree planting projects and how we can assist you in becoming a more sustainable business, please contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.
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.
