The Viatek Group is a services-based organisation, offering business solutions for print, scanning & technology. With over 17 offices operating within Victoria & NSW, it makes them the largest regional supplier of managed print services, backed with local technicians on site.

The team at Viatek Bendigo have been supporting tree planting projects since 2015 and to date have purchased 2,310 trees for local community groups. These trees are forming part of regeneration and habitat projects, where they will grow to stabilise the soil, provide shade and food to native fauna, and encourage biodiversity.

The trees were planted by Northern Bendigo Landcare Group (NBLG) coordinator Nicole Howie at Bendigo (Djaara Country) as part of an ongoing restoration project.

Years ago, when Nicole purchased the property, one of her first goals was to rehabilitate the existing dam. With sheep removed from the paddock, the sedges and reeds began to return naturally, and Nicole followed up with additional plantings of shrubs and trees. Today, that once-tired dam has become a thriving haven for wildlife regularly visited by ducks, spoonbills, grebes, cormorants, ibis and more. Check out the image below.

A second dam was later constructed to provide additional water storage. Unlike the first, this dam had long remained bare and exposed, its banks lacking structure and vegetation. After hosting a webinar on the role of farm dams as biodiversity hotspots, Nicole was inspired to reimagine what this dam could become: a well-vegetated wetland that would support wildlife while still accommodating farm operations.

Support from Viatek has made the first stage of this transformation possible. Through donated native grasses, shrubs and trees, the previously bare banks are now being stabilised and replanted. These new plantings will help hold the soil together, reduce sediment flowing into the water, improve water quality, and create shade and shelter for both wildlife and stock. Over time, they’ll also provide food sources, nesting opportunities and safe refuges for native animals that depend on healthy freshwater systems.

This project represents an important step toward improving the ecological health of the entire property. Sincere thanks go to all those who contributed plants, time and support helping turn a simple farm dam into a flourishing pocket of biodiversity.

Nicole Howie | Coordinator | Northern Bendigo Landcare Group

We also thank Craig and the team 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.

If you would like to know more about sponsoring community tree planting projects and how we can assist you in becoming a more sustainable business, 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.

Years ago when we bought our property we set about rehabilitating the existing dam on site. Removing sheep from this paddock saw most of the sedges and reeds return on their own and we added revegetation of shrubs and trees. The dam is a mecca for wildlife now, often seen with ducks, spoonbills, grebes, cormorants, ibis, etc.

Our second dam was added when we moved in for more water storage and stock access and has always had very bare banks. After hosting a webinar about the potential of farm dams as biodiversity hotspots I was inspired to transform our dam into both a well-vegetated wetland whilst still allowing for stock access.

The donation of plants via Fifteen Trees has enabled us to begin that journey, adding native grasses, shrubs and trees to the bare dam banks. This will hold the soil together to decrease sedimentation of the dam and maintain water quality, provide shade on and near the water for wildlife (and stock) and add food sources, nesting sites and safe refuges for native fauna near the water source.

Many thanks to those that helped us complete this project that will help the health of our property.