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 100 trees.  Simon’s tree tally now stands at 1,280 native trees.

This year, working with Geelong Landcare, we organised the planting of Simon’s 100 native trees along Tea Tree Creek at Barrabool (Wadawurrung Country). This area was once dominated by an Eucalypt and Drooping Sheoak woodlands with a grassy understory. However, over the years, the area has been largely cleared and taken over by introduced pasture grasses. The aim of the planting group is to restore the site to past biomes with the planting of  species such as indigenous Manna Gums, Swamp Gums, narrow-leaf Peppermints, Drooping Sheoaks and Black Wattle.

Enhancing what native vegetation still remains and providing critically important animal habitat will see an improvement in both the local fauna species as well as those species (e.g. kangaroos, echidnas) using this area as a corridor or stepping stones between native reserves. There is a large diversity of fauna in the area, with animals such as Growling Grass-frogs, Rakali and one of our most iconic Australian animals the platypus.

Geelong Landcare Network was so thrilled to be given plants for this project. We thank all our supporters. Our aim is to restore and enhance our natural environment and your contribution has directly contributed to this aim. Thank you once again.

Bronwyn Merritt | Facilitator | Geelong Landcare Network.

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!

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.