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Every year APlus Apprentice and Trainee Services reduce their carbon footprint by funding the planting of trees. I’m delighted to announce that this year with a new CEO Poul Bottern, APlus has continued the relationship with Fifteen Trees and we have planted 285 trees on their behalf. At Cobram Special School, teacher Lisa Oliver and her band of merry students planted out 45 trees. Lisa writes “Our planting day at PK Reserve, was fun. The students and teachers from the Cobram Special Developmental School were out in force to assist with the activities as was our Landcare Education Officer, Lanie Pearce. The day started with a sausage sizzle. Our reconnaissance group had marked the spots where the trees were to go and these areas had been ripped.  As quite a few understorey plants from one part of the reserve had succumbed to last year’s flood, we used exclusively River Red Gums in our attempt to guarantee survival. Trees were carefully positioned to avoid creating patches of shade, which would inhibit the growth of vulnerable flowers and grasses. As with all worthwhile projects there was much organising before the job was done. It has been our privilege and pleasure to be part of the Fifteen Trees program. Thank you to Colleen Filippa for coordinating. We hope that those who read our report will be interested in participating in future projects”. [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Over at Heathcote, 60 trees were planted at the local rural golf club by Club Secretary Bryan Wearne. He writes “Please find attached a picture of yours truly with one of the trees we planted. Guards are in the process of being fitted to ALL trees. These trees have been planted in strategically placed locations around the course. Thanks again”. Sixty trees were also planted at Peppercorn Flats by Robbie and Amanda Dooley,  another 60 at Scotsburn by David Sharp and yet another 60 at Haddon by Chris Grigg. David sent in the following report. “Hello Colleen, The trees were planted within existing recently planted tree lines to fill some gaps and replace losses at Scotsburn, near the foot of Mount Buninyong. We purchased the property in at the end of 2011, with it only having a few scattered old and dead gums on it. Since then we have planted and fenced off over 600 trees.The species chosen are all indigenous to the area and will provide habitat and food for a broad range of local native fauna including koalas (a section of the property has a koala overlay), possums, bats, and numerous bird species. The 60 trees from you has added to our Significant Roadside Vegetation along the road out the  front. This will providing a corridor for wildlife“. [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

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              Thank you to Poul Bottern (CEO) and  Leah Phelan (Executive Assistant) at A Plus. Your trees have been planted in rural Victoria by caring individuals who love our native environment. Slainte – Colleen  [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]