Businesses like Renovators Paradise help us to create native habitats and regenerate our forests. When business owner Simon approached us to reduce their carbon footprint over a decade ago, we leapt at their offer to help. Simon is unique in that he specialises in the sale of reclaimed building materials. This company encourages recycling and up-cycling. The process encourages recycling and reduces land fill, but it also showcases skill sets from bygone eras in products that are not reproduced in todays construction industry. The treasures we salvage add character and style to both old or new homes.

Since 2012 we have been planting 15 trees for every car in Simon’s fleet, and this year, with his support, we have planted another 150 trees (10 vehicles X 15 trees).  Simon’s tree tally now stands at 1,180 native trees.

Site 1 | Brisbane Ranges, VIC | 50 trees

The native trees were planted recently by volunteers from the Koala Clancy Foundation at Lara in the Brisbane Ranges, VIC. Some of the tree species planted 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.

The Koala Clancy Foundation is working with landowners and councils to provide habitat corridors for their local wild koala populations. During the course of this planting season (April – September) they hope to plant thousands of native trees.

Thank you so much for your support this tree planting season.  Thanks to supporters like you we can continue with our community tree planting projects to provide habitat trees for our local wild koala populations.

Janine Duffy | President | Koala Clancy Foundation

At the Koala Clancy Foundation, koalas are their top priority but 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 species; Speckled Warbler (top L), Diamond Firetail (top R), Brown Treecreeper bottom L) and Jacky Winter (bottom R).

Site 2 | Gannawarra, VIC | 100 trees

The small township of Gannawarra is located in the northern part of VIC along the Murray River in the Gannawarra Shire. The Loddon River flows through the shire, feeding into the Murray. This is significant River Red Gum country. And it is here that we planted 100 trees on the behalf of Renovators Paradise.

The trees were a mixture of species sourced from Neagnar Nursery in Bendigo and planted by the Murray Mallee Landcare Network (MMLN).

Huge shoutout to Simon and the team from Renovators Paradise for coming to the assistance of our native environment with a yearly contribution of trees. Businesses like Renovators Paradise ensure we can get our work done to regenerate our forests and landscapes. Without the likes of them, it would be virtually impossible to plant the amount of trees we do annually.

Writer; Colleen Filippa

Colleen is the Founding Director of Fifteen Trees. Her background is in environmental education. In 2009, after 20 years in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, Colleen left the classroom to start Fifteen Trees. Fifteen Trees is a social enterprise (putting people and planet first) that assists individuals and companies to reduce their carbon footprint through the support of community groups such as landcare, environmental networks and friends groups.