When Oblong looked into offsetting their own emissions, they found the process overly complicated and lacking in integrity. So they developed Oblong Trees, a company that streamlines offsetting, doesn’t get too bogged down in precise calculations, and makes a tangible difference. Importantly, Oblong Trees recognises that there is limited space in the UK, and that trees planted on the other side of the world are just as vital for combatting climate change as any in your own backyard.

We are delighted to be assisting Oblong Trees in their aim to plant trees worldwide.

Site 1 | Brisbane Ranges, VIC | 700 native trees

Native tree species included River-red gum, Yellow gum, Manna gum, Sweet Bursaria, Wirilda and Lightwood. All trees were sourced from local indigenous nursery at Western Plains Flora and planted by volunteers from the Koala Clancy Foundation at Lara, VIC. (-37.9749387, 144.4313386)

This self-funded foundation is working with landowners and councils to provide connecting habitat corridors for their local wild koala populations. During the course of this planting season (April – September) they hope to plant out 20,000 native trees. With 700 trees coming from Oblong Trees, they have been able to fence off and plant out an entire section of land at Lara, just to the west of Melbourne.

Thank you so much for your support this tree planting season.  Thanks to supporters like you we will hit our aim of 20,000 trees this season.

Janine Duffy | President | Koala Clancy Foundation

At the Koala Clancy Foundation, koalas are their top priority and to properly care for one specie, they have to care for the entire ecosystem. When they plant trees for koalas, they are also providing habitat for local bird species such as these 4 threatened woodland birds; Speckled Warbler (top L), Diamond Firetail (top R), Brown Treecreeper bottom L) and Jacky Winter (bottom R).

Site 2 | Somers, VIC | 1,155 native trees

This tree planting event took place with the Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation (MPKC) Group and their band of local volunteers. The koala habitat trees planted included; Broad-leaf and Narrow-leaf Peppermint, Messmate, Stringy-bark and River-red gum.

The Somers Koala Habitat Project (Coolart to Merrick) is such a worthwhile environmental project. Over 70% of landholders in the area have confirmed their intent to participate in this revegetation project, it is also backed by Mornington Peninsula Shire, Parks Victoria and the Department of Defence.

With sponsors such as Fifteen Trees and Oblong Trees, this revegetation project is growing by leaps and bounds.

Here’s a few reasons why this project is so important:

• Recent research from Deakin University suggests that the koala population has been negatively impacted by the highly fragmented nature of habitat on the Mornington Peninsula.
• By providing a wildlife corridor biolink it will allow animals including koalas to move safely, to reach vital food resources and help maintain viable populations.
• Without this, koala populations will inevitably continue to decline, become isolated and may face local extinction.

Our climate needs big, global thinkers right now, with big, global goals.  Thank you to Dan Whiteman, managing director at Oblong UK Ltd for initiating this partnership and entrusting Fifteen Trees to be your Australian planters.

Here at Fifteen Trees, we are always happy to have a chat about the best way to incorporate sustainability into your organisation. We can help you to connect with the broader community and reduce some of your company’s environmental impacts. If interested, please contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.

Writer – Sarah Hart.

Sarah is an 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. You can find Sarah here.