Westgate Park, VIC | 100 trees | 2024

Westgate Biodiversity and Bili Nursery & Landcare Inc. together manage Westgate Park in Port Melbourne. This community-based not-for-profit organisation is based at the foot of one of Melbourne’s most iconic and main transport arterials from the West to the city, Westgate Bridge.

Westgate Biodiversity Inc not only grow and sell locally indigenous plants, but they are working passionately to transform Westgate Park into a natural, bush-like place for people to enjoy, and provide habitat for the local native wildlife. It was here that we planted the 100 trees generously sponsored by the team at SÜK Workwear.

A huge variety of native species of trees and shrubs were planted at the site. Species such as; Acacias (Heath Wattle, Golden Prickly Wattle, Silver Wattle, Lightwood, Coastal Wattle, Black Wattle and Blackwood), Sheoakes (Black, Swamp, Green and Drooping), Saltbushes (Grey and Marsh), Banksias (Coastal and Silver), Correas (White, Smooth and Common), Eucalyptus (Red River Gum, Yellow Gum, Melbourne White Ironbark, Yellow Box, Swamp Gum, Snow Gum, Narrow-leaf Peppermint and Manna Gum), Grevillas (Anglesea and Rosemary), Hakeas (Silky, Yellow and Furze), Heath (Pink, Coast and Common Beard) Melaleucas (Swamp Paperbark, Moonah and Scented Paperbark), and Bush-peas (Large, Clustered, Rough and Slender). A greater variety in plants corresponds to a greater variety of food sources for our unique native wildlife. These plant species will flower and fruit at different times throughout the year, thus providing a continuous banquet of food for insects, invertebrates, reptiles, bats, birds and mammals.

Planting not only native but indigenous trees and shrubs, is vitally important in our restoration projects. Here’s a few reasons why;

• they have the best chance of successful establishment,
• they can adapt to nutrient poor soils, therefore no need to provide additional fertilisers,
• they require very little pest management intervention as they adapt to the grazing and browsing pressures of local wildlife.
• they require minimal watering, most are drought tolerant and many require annual drying/wetting cycles,
• they are great for soil stabilisation, most are deep rooted, and
• they create a great habitat and food resources to attract birds, butterflies and other beneficial native pollinating insects and wildlife.

You can read more about ‘Why Indigenous Plants Rule’ in our blogpost here.

Inverleigh, VIC | 800 trees | 2023

Native tree species planted at this site 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  in the Brisbane Ranges (VIC).

The Wadawurrung are a recognised tribe (community) of this district, which consisted of some 25 clans that forms part of the Kulin Nation of Aboriginal people.

At Inverleigh, VIC a small population of wild koalas are just hanging on. Many years ago all the woodland around them was cut down, isolating these koalas. Now modern landholders are keen to revegetate the streams, but they need our expert help. This project will restore an endangered ecosystem in a region that has lost 87% of its natural forest. This planting will effectively double the habitat for these koalas, giving them a lifeline.

Many thanks to the team at SÜK Workwear for your generous contribution.

Janine Duffy | President | Koala Clancy Foundation

The Koala Clancy 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 are aiming to plant close to 20,000 native trees. Eight hundred (800) trees from SÜK goes a long way towards their goal.

Bendigo, VIC | 160 trees | 2023

The Northern Bendigo Landcare (NBL) held their annual National Tree Day event last month at the Huntly Streamside Reserve. They planted native species along the Bendigo Creek corridor. This corridor has been damaged in the past due to gold mining and grazing. This is the traditional land of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Peoples of the Kulin Nation.

Forty-eight (48) people turned out to help plant the trees.  A highlight was having students from nearby Epsom Primary School attend with their families.  These students are part of the school’s Green Magpies group of sustainability leaders and were encouraged to attend to support community sustainability initiatives and gain valuable experience.  They were extremely keen and enjoyed being involved in practical community action to complement their learning at school.

Thanks to Fifteen Trees and SÜK who donated the plants that we happily added to our community.

Nicole Howie | Secretary | Northern Bendigo Landcare

Yea, VIC | 345 trees | 2023

The trees were planted by Yellow Creek Landcare Group (YCLG) at Yea, traditionally Wurundjeri and Taungurung land. The site is classified as a Valley Grassy Forest, with the dominant trees being Eucalyptus microcarpa (Grey Box), Eucalyptus melliodora  (Yellow Box), Eucalyptus macrorhyncha (Red Stringybark), Eucalyptus goniocalyx (Long-leaved Box) and Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Red Box).

The Landcare group have planted these same indigenous species at the site in keeping with the original vegetation.

Hopetoun Park, VIC | 160 trees | 2022

The trees and native understory now growing from Grow West’s recent planting day has contributed to the green wildlife corridor at Hopetoun Park, The park sits alongside the Werribee River. It is here that SÜK trees were planted. This region is home to its very own species of eucalyptus, the Werribee Blue Box tree. The fascinating thing about this tree is that it only occurs along the Werribee River and its tributaries. In 2011, the Werribee Blue-Box was officially recognised by the National Herbarium of Victoria. Classified as endangered under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, these magnificent trees can grow up to 12 metres.

Thank you SÜK also 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, the microclimate created, protects 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.

Looking after our native environment is important on so many levels. And we thank SÜK Workwear for supporting those who work so hard to protect and restore our planet.

Writer: Lou Ridsdale.

Lou is a big fan of words and has been our Comms Manager since 2019. She is a big-minded green thumb, Earth Lover, big-hearted nature freak plus a savvy media and horticulture expert, who passionately believe that everyone can lead a more nourishing and sustainable life. Her passion for education + communication being the most empowering tool for change is reflected as her role as Founder of Food Is Free Inc. a unique grassroots food security platform specialising in food security education. She fell in love with trees after reading The Magic Faraway Tree as a child.

You can find Lou here