Food security is something that concerns us all. Needless to say, it goes hand in hand with responsible environmental stewardship. One company that takes both issues very seriously is Skretting, a sustainability-award-winning world leader in the manufacture and supply of aquaculture feed.

Skretting’s primary focus is on its research and development of sustainable aquaculture feed, but it also places a high value on the saying, ‘think global, act local’.

This year, we planted Skretting’s native trees, shrubs and grasses in the Huon Valley with the Russ Trust Landcare Group. The land is an unusual mix of native rainforest, wet forest and 25 acres of pine plantation. Sixteen acres of this pine forest land has already been harvested for the wood and is now being actively regenerated with native trees. The remaining 9 acres is being transitioned more gradually and will take several years to regenerate.

A range of species have been chosen to reflect the native surrounds and provide habitat for threatened species. These include blue gums, white gums, mountain ash and other eucalypt species, fast growing dogwoods and blanket leaf (which possums find particularly delicious) and bird-friendly shrubs such as banksias and bottlebrushes.

The local wrens and robins are always interested when planting occurs as mulch is moved and insects unearthed, providing an easy meal. Other local animals include wedge tailed eagles and black cockatoos who watch from high above, currawongs and ravens who investigate all the tools, while wallabies, pademelons and possums all watch on. Other local species who need cover and old logs to hide in include echidnas, eastern quolls and devils. At night boobook owls, tawny frogmouths and a range of frogs sing to one another.

We are incredibly grateful for supporting this regeneration project and conservation at large. As we worked, we enjoyed seeing nature participate in recovery with hundreds of different fungi growing in our planting site, ferns poking out from felled branches and now native orchids are popping up around our plants.

We look forward to watching our baby trees grow, knowing that their conservation status means they will be protected long-term.

Thanks so much for supporting us, it means a lot to know that other people care about this place and our collective future. It’s a drop in the ocean for climate change and helping threatened species but every bit helps!

Gayle Newbold | Member |Russ Trust Landcare Group

Thank you Skretting for the additional funding for tree guards. These guards help protect the new seedlings and gives them protection from grazers, in particular rabbits and kangaroos. Inside the plastic sleeves, a microclimate is created to protect the seedlings from harsh UV, drifting sand, frost, and wind. Once the seedlings survive their first summer and get the opportunity to develop a strong taproot, their chances of survival skyrockets.

Here at Fifteen Trees, we are always happy to have a chat about the best way to incorporate CSR into your organisation. It’s a lovely way to connect with the broader community and reduce some of your company’s environmental impacts. If interested, 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.