ReLeaf Autumn 2012

Trees For LifeAutumn 2012Number 122

TFL receives gift of land

Trees For Towns celebrations planned

Superb seedlings available

‘Come n Try’ bush days now open to all

2 Trees For Life Autumn 2012 Number 122

Contact usReLeaf is a production of Trees For Life. Editorial/Advertising: Tania Kearney (ph: 8406 0500 or [email protected]) Production/Graphic Design: Fusion Printing: Finsbury Green

Want to advertise? Advertising space is now available in ReLeaf. Phone 8406 0500 or email [email protected] for advertising rates.

Cover photo: Tetratheca pilosa by John Hunter

Trees For Life 5 May Tce

Brooklyn Park 5032 Ph: 8406 0500 Fax: 8406 0599

[email protected] www.treesforlife.org.au

We’d be lost without our caring landholders

I recently signed up to a document entitled Advancing the Community Together which is a partnership between the

volunteer community and the South Australian Government. In doing so I was wearing my ‘Friends of Parks’ hat but the spirit of the partnership applies equally to Trees For Life and its volunteers. The partnership recognises the enormous role volunteers play in building strong, supportive and inclusive communities in South Australia. It also recognises our important social responsibility to invest in and support volunteers and their organisations to enable their significant work in the community to continue.

Over the Christmas break I found myself thinking about our volunteers and how much South Australia owes them. We spent a fair bit of last year celebrating TFL’s achievements as an organisation and acknowledging our founding members and volunteers across the State. It so happened that 2011 was the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers which gave added meaning to our celebrations. This year is the Australian Year of the Farmer and it occurred to me that farmers and landowners don’t always receive due credit for the part they play in the volunteering mix.

There’s no doubt our Tree Scheme wouldn’t exist without the strong commitment of the rural community and our primary producers. City dwelling volunteers growing native seedlings for farmers to revegetate their properties was the formula that first put Trees For Life on the environmental map. Many of our farmers have also thankfully retained significant areas of native bush and have been prepared to find time to maintain them. Similarly the Landcare movement owes its undoubted success to farmers across the country and their preparedness to employ more sustainable practices in the management of the land.

The Australian Year of the Farmer aims to acknowledge the part that the agricultural sector plays in the overall health of the nation. For the past 30 years TFL has forged links with farmers and landowners who volunteer their time and land to assist rehabilitation, restore the environment and undo some of the damage done by past generations. The city to country relationship has played a significant part in building strong and supportive communities here in South Australia and we salute our country cousins in this wonderful achievement.

Farmers and environmentalists have not always got along well with each other and yet our primary producers are our most experienced land managers. Nowadays most owners of remnant bush appreciate its natural beauty. There are, however, also recognised productivity benefits. Crop and livestock production can be increased when native vegetation acts as a windbreak, provides shade and prevents loss of soil moisture. Cold and heat stress in stock can be reduced with increases in wool and meat production. All in all it’s a win-win proposition. Little wonder that our enlightened farmers and volunteers feel personal satisfaction in the knowledge that they are helping restore some of the original landscape settled by their forebears.

So thanks to all our landowners and especially the farmers who volunteer their time to work with us and maintain the vital link between town and country which is such an important part of the Australian social fabric. More particularly we thank all those who volunteer their land either to receive our precious seedlings as part of the revegetation process or, if it contains remnant vegetation, as a site for our Bush For Life practitioners. I reckon that’s really Advancing the Community Together.

By DAVID MITCHELL

Solar performance

Period kWh $creditsOct10-Jan11 567 283.5 Jan 11-March 11 600 300 Apr 11-July 11 432 216 July 11-Oct 11 584 292 Oct 11-Jan 12 658 329 Total to date 2841 1421

Willunga TFL turns 25

A big congratulations to our Willunga Trees For Life

group, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary on April 4.

The group has many long-term members such as Kate Parkin, Clare Longhorn, Joyce West and Faye Lush, who have done an enormous amount of environmental work throughout the Willunga district over the years. They have also been wonderful support to TFL generally over many years.

We also thank Joyce West, who has recently stepped down as Willunga coordinator, after 14 years in the role.

Thank you to all Willunga members and we wish you a very happy birthday!

(Details about the 25th anniversary event are on Page 13).

Year highlights our special farmers

Trees For Life is proud to support the 2012 Australian

Year of the Farmer.The 2012 Australian Year

of the Farmer is designed to recognise and celebrate the hard work of everyone involved in producing, processing, handling and selling products from 136,000 farms across the country.

TFL was founded on a desire to work hand-in-hand with farmers throughout South Australia in a bid to revegetate barren land. That special relationship continues to this day in the form of the Tree Scheme, with a major focus between city volunteer growers and rural landowners. Many a lasting friendship has been forged by our members throughout the State and we hope many more will develop in coming years.

If you’d like to know more about events planned throughout the year, log onto www.yearofthefarmer.com.au

President’s Message General News

TFL Solar panel performance

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

Oct 10- Jan 11

Jan 11 -March

11

Apr 11- July

11

July 11- Oct

11

Oct 11- Jan 12

Total todate

kWh

$ credits

3Trees For Life Autumn 2012 Number 122

The spectacular property that Doug and Olga Farnill have given, in part, to Trees For Life. The Farnills have revegetated 20 hectares in the past decade.

Gift of land icing on the 30th birthday cake

Trees For Life members Doug and Olga Farnill have given

Trees For Life the most wonderful legacy gift: 50% ownership of a 25 hectare property on the Greenhills Range near Mt Barker.

Doug and Olga have revegetated 20 hectares of the land over the last decade and are keen to see the property continue to develop with increased biodiversity and greater habitat value as the plantings mature and a richer understorey develops.

Trees For Life will manage the property over the next five years and we will use it as a training and education resource to promote best practice revegetation techniques. We will name the property Farnill in honour of Doug and Olga.

The Farnills said that in bestowing this gift they wanted to benefit Trees For Life and to ensure the property, that they love, is well looked after. “We just want to do the best for the property, to be relieved of operating responsibilities, and to strike as big a blow as we can for the environment by benefiting TFL - and we want to enjoy that warm feeling now while we live rather than merely to do some good after we are gone and can no longer enjoy the satisfaction.

Worthwhile experiment“We have carefully considered

that there is no better way to use our money. We also think that restoring some of the vegetation destroyed since settlement is as important as caring for remnant bush, and the need as urgent. It helps fill so many needs for habitat for biodiversity, for carbon sequestration, and for land and water care.

“And we see this place as an experiment in creating the best efforts for a balanced revegetation project, developing into a really healthy and enduring habitat. We are very happy that TFL will care for it and that they and others will do research into best practice. It gives us peace of mind about the future of the place and real hope for the environment.”

Generous spiritIn accepting the gift on behalf

of members, TFL President David Mitchell said “In my time as President I have met hundreds of our members and made many friends. Their generosity of spirit and commitment to TFL are key characteristics. Doug and Olga have taken that generosity and commitment to new levels with the donation of ‘Farnill’ into our care. Their love for the property and its plantings is quite remarkable and we are not only grateful to them for granting us stewardship but also enabling TFL to showcase our revegetation credentials. Since

2006 TFL Carbon Operations Manager Dennis Hayles has been assisting and advising Doug and Olga on their revegetation. I have no doubt that Dennis’ knowledge and professionalism played no small part in giving the Farnills the confidence to entrust their property into TFL’s care. Thank you Doug and Olga”.

Member participationTrees For Life members

who would like to contribute to the development of the property can join Olga’s seed collection team or register to become a ‘Friend of Farnill’ to undertake regular conservation and maintenance work on the property and to enjoy watching it evolve. Corporate teams are also encouraged to take on a revegetation or maintenance project on the property.

House for rentThe property includes a lovely

three bedroom home which will be available for long term rental after Easter. If you are interested in a country rental please call Lisa Adams at TFL in the first instance for details.

Member Open DayTFL members who would like

to see the property are invited to an open day on Sunday March 25 from 2-5pm. RSVP by email to [email protected] and the property details will be emailed to you the week prior to the event.

What’s on ...

March 9-12 TFL @ WOMAD

March 17 BFL Workshop @ Brooklyn Park

March 17 TFL @ Mt Pleasant Show

March 24 TFL @ Mt Barker Show

March 25 Member Open Day @ Farnill Property, Flaxley

March 26 Weed Collection Workshop Clare

March 28 Weed Collection Workshop Callington

April 4 Willunga TFL 25th Birthday (pg 13)

April 11 BAT ‘Come n Try’ @ Mylor

April 13, 14, 15 Back-up Seedlings Available (pg 7)

April 17 BFL Workshop @ Mt Barker

April 19 BAT ‘Come n Try’ @ Belair

April 28 BFL Workshop @ Port Elliott

April 29 TFL @ Stirling Show

May 5 BFL Workshop @ Morphett Vale

May 10 BFL Workshop @ Auburn

May 15-August 17 Tree Scheme Ordering Season Open

May 26 BFL Workshop @ Tea Tree Gully

May 30-31, June 1-2 Tree Scheme Surplus Sale and Garden Sale (pg 6)

June 17 BAT ‘Come n Try” @ Hallett Cove

June 30 BAT ‘Come n Try’ at Blackwood

An article on Doug and Olga, with Dennis Hayles, from the Mt Barker Courier in 2010.


Growing a great future is the goal of the State Government’s SA Urban Forests Million Trees Program, which is dedicated to planting three million local native trees and associated understorey across metropolitan Adelaide by 2014.

Restoration under way at Craigburn Farm

Craigburn Farm is a 180 hectare parcel of land being

transformed from a cattle grazing property into open public space. This area will eventually become part of Sturt Gorge Recreation Park.

The farm is being progressively restored into a variety of landscapes including Grey Box and Blue Gum Woodland. An important component of the restoration process is also to provide open spaces dominated by native grass cover to provide both an ecological function as well as meet the objectives of a buffer zone for fire management purposes.

In January 2011 the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) undertook a prescribed burn across 15 hectares of the farm. A main objective was to reduce the exotic grass biomass that has accumulated over many years of growing feed for cattle. The burn also reduced fuel loads as Craigburn Farm backs onto the new Blackwood Park housing estate.

Following the burn, the area was hand direct seeded with Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra). The preferred timing for the seeding was discussed at length with a number of native grass establishment experts and with perfect weather forecast after the burn, Urban Biodiversity Unit (UBU) staff immediately spread the grass.

Approximately 100kg of Themeda had been collected from local populations and this was subsequently spread over one hectare within the burn site. This area was also sprayed for broad leaf and exotic grasses in autumn 2011.

In November, the area was slashed to reduce fuel loads again and the remaining slashed biomass was scheduled to be burnt in mid-December. During the on-ground preparation for the burn, it was discovered that the Themeda which was hand seeded in January, had at last germinated.

So with much enthusiasm, DENR’s UBU and fire management staff conducted a smaller burn of approximately two hectares adjacent to the successful plot and then hand seeded another 150kg of Themeda across this area.

Warm temperatures helped both efforts, causing the seed to drop from the stems directly on to the burnt ground, mimicking as best as possible a process that would have occurred in natural populations.

This year, Craigburn Farm is again on the list of the Million Trees community planting events. If you would like to get involved with any of the Million Trees planting events in 2012, please contact the office on 8278 0600 or visit the Million Trees website www.milliontrees.com.au

Winners are grinners in TFL lottery

Our annual Trees For Life lottery has raised a fantastic

$90,000 through ticket sales.The lottery was drawn last

month and the first prize of $10,000 cash went to John Jeffery (ticket #23850). The second prize, a Dot2dot solar irrigation system was won by Steph Hodgetts (19142), with third prize – accommodation package for two at the Birdsville and Innamincka outback hotels – was won by Judy Reed (56278).

The winning number for the ticket seller’s prize (a dozen premium wines from Grosset Wines valued at $576) was 21293 - N. Johnson.

Trees For Life would like to thank all those who sold or bought tickets in our main fundraiser. The money raised is used to revegetate South Australia and help protect its remnant bushland.

All winners were notified by TFL and results published in The Advertiser on February 10, 2012. The winning ticket numbers, starting from first prize, are:

23850, 19142, 56278, 54279, 56581, 11437, 08997, 11431, 16671, 45152, 53495, 32448, 50804, 13413, 02492, 39768, 46052, 18077, 07958, 45351, 11074, 34958, 31575,

25650, 13588, 53659, 9948, 36314, 37824, 24958, 25340, 24274, 25967, 59698, 36306, 56979, 31696, 36484, 05585, 36704, 36957, 21876, 43227, 09223, 00825, 37996, 04592, 07443, 32559, 32455, 47767, 22809, 29115.

We would like to sincerely thank the following people and organisations for donating prizes: Dot2dot, The Outback Loop, Team Poly, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Hilton, Wings Barossa Bird & Bush Retreat, JA Grigson, Foodland, Clare Valley Cabins, Cleland Wildlife Park, Sealink, Neville Bonney, Eco Pest Control, State Flora, Dominant, Coffee by the Beans, Ballast Stone, Gomersal and Fox Creek wines, Greg Bartlett Jeweller, Ultra Tune, Taking Care of Trees, Imprints, Better World Arts, Dulux Paints, Springford Business Machines, Total Tools, Birkenstock in the Hills, Worm Organics, Greenhills Adventure Park and Wallis Cinemas.

A huge thanks also goes to TFL Fundraising Coordinator Bernie Omodei, who has raised more than $1 million for TFL through the lottery since 2000!

Finally, any unsold tickets need to be returned to TFL for legal requirements.

General News

Long-term TFL Seedbank volunteer Lois Moore draws the winning lottery ticket, watched by Fundraising Coordinator Bernie Omodei.


Alberton Primary School students at their first Schools Big Backyard workshop in February.

Come and plant on the Fleurieu

Last year 3180 native seedlings were planted by

our volunteer Fleurieu Planters across eight properties from Murray Bridge to Victor Harbor. This takes to 82,902 the total planted in the region since 1993.

This is a fantastic effort from a hard working and passionate group of volunteers, led by Coordinator Bunti Pellen, who is also a TFL volunteer.

If you want to join the team for the 2012 planting season then we’d love to hear from you.

Not only will you be doing something extremely positive for the South Australian environment, you’ll also get to know some wonderful people and see some amazing scenery.

This year there will be approximately 10 plantings, generally every Sunday from May to September, in any weather. The plantings run from 10am to 12 noon-1pm, followed by a delicious lunch provided by the landholder.

If you’d like to know more or to register your interest phone Bunti on (08) 7329 2889 or 042 901 6335 or email [email protected] (Please don’t phone after 7pm Sunday-Thursday).

Trees For Towns celebrations planned

We’re currently in Phase Two of our inaugural Trees

For Towns (TFT) project, which means the 30,000 seedlings being grown by our 30 participating communities are getting plenty of care.

In all, 25 propagation workshops were delivered to more than 300 enthusiastic community members by TFL presenters Martina Thompson and Priya Spencer, with support from other TFL staff and representatives of funding partner ElectraNet.

TFT Coordinator Martina Thompson said the propagation training gave new growers the confidence to be involved and community members who had been growers previously said that even after their years of experience they still learned something new from the workshop.

“Most groups were able to adhere to the sowing timetable as set by the sow dates and we’re now in the middle of the growing season,” Martina said.

“There has been a good success rate for germination and only a handful of groups have needed replacement seed, so they’re all doing a great job. There have been some problems

along the way but they are the same sort of basic problems faced each year by Tree Scheme growers and are solvable.”

Town celebrationsPhase three of the TFT

project runs from May to September and sees all the hard work come to fruition in the form of community planting days and celebrations.

The 30 groups will start preparing their planting sites, they will receive their tree guards and stakes from TFL and organise their community planting days.

“Our unique Trees For Towns project has always aimed to plant 30,000 seedlings in 30 communities throughout South Australia and we have really enjoyed seeing the groups come together with the aim of creating a green gateway or haven in their town,” Martina said.

“The community planting days and celebrations will highlight community pride and we’re really looking forward to sharing this special time with each and every one of our groups.”

Updates on the community plantings days and celebrations will be in the June ReLeaf edition, however if celebrations take place in May, they will be listed on TFL’s website.

Happy planting everyone!

Alberton PS grows for Big Backyard

Alberton Primary School’s Year 5-7 special education

students are our new participants in the Schools Big Backyard Project for 2012.

Funded by Bendigo Bank’s West Beach and Districts Community Bank Branch and the Minter Ellison Foundation, it is the third year Trees For Life has run the environmental program for school students.

It aims to support teachers’ environmental work and to give students a strong understanding of the role and value of native plants in their local community.

As in previous years, the students will be guided through the process of growing a selection of native plant species that once used to occur naturally in the area in which their school is located. Alberton primary school students will grow six boxes that are made up of 12 different species of native grasses, rushes, shrubs and trees. Each box holds 50 plants so in total they will produce 300 plants. Those seedlings will then be used to revegetate the school grounds.

Alberton’s first and most intensive workshop was held at the start of Term 1 in early February. During this workshop students were shown step by step how to begin plant propagation, including correctly filling plant tubes with soil, sowing the seed and the importance of daily watering. This will be followed by

repeat visits in April, June and August to guide the students through the key activities that are part of the early growing phase of the seedlings.

Kangaroo Island’s Parndana Trees For Towns group.

Normanville students participating in the TFT project.

Crystal Brook school students at their local workshop.

The Milang Trees For Towns group with some of their seedlings.

General News


Time to order TFL seedlings

Orders for 2013 seedlings open on May 15 and close

on August 17, 2012. A benefit of Trees For

Life financial membership is that landholders can order native plants, grown from seed collected in their local area which results in good biodiversity outcomes and resilient habitat.

Full financial members can order up to 500 seedlings to be grown for them by volunteers or 1000 to grow for themselves. A material and supply fee of $55 is due when you place your order and your membership must remain current until you have received your plants or materials.

Subsidised costThese costs are heavily

subsidised by TFL members, volunteers and SA Water, to encourage and promote broad scale revegetation in South Australia. Market price for tubestock is normally from $1.75 – $4.75 per plant.

Order forms will be posted out to members in May. Your newsletter address label indicates if you will be sent a form automatically by stating above your name, ‘Order form coming for your zone’. If your label does not have this message and you would like to order seedlings or materials please phone us on 8406 0500.

Plant sale for members only

Each year, once the growing season is complete, we have

a Surplus Sale to offer any leftover stock to our members.

This can be useful for any members who missed out on ordering the year before and those interested in planting out large areas with indigenous native seedlings.

This year we are combining our annual Surplus Sale with a Garden Sale, with individual tubestock of garden style varieties also available for city members.

Surplus Sale: Tubestock will be available from a variety of different zones and will mostly be common varieties used for broadscale revegetation purposes. Stock will be for sale by the box load (50 seedlings) or ½ box load. The price is $50 per box.

Garden Sale: Individual native seedlings grown by the TFL nursery will be available, suited to local gardens around the Adelaide metropolitan area, hills and surrounds. Seedlings will be $2.20 each.

The following species are some of the plants that will be available for individual sale as part of the Garden Sale:

Trees & Shrubs: Acacia acinacea, Acacia myrtifolia, Banksia marginata, Bursaria spinosa, Callistemon sieberi, Callitris gracilis, Cullen australasica, Dodonaea viscosa spatulata, Hakea carinata, Leptospermum lanigerum, Melaleuca decussata, Xanthorrhoea semiplana, Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata. Low Shrubs & Groundcovers: Atriplex semibaccata, Eutaxia microphylla, Enchyleana tomentosa, Hardenbergia violacea, Kennedia prostrata, Lotus australis, Olearia ramulosa, Vittadinia blackii. Sedges, Rushes & Grasses: Dianella brevicaulis, Austrostipa nodosa, Microleana stipoides, Chloris truncata, Juncus pallidus, Poa poiformis.

Seedling Sale May 30, 31 & June 1, 2 Wednesday-Saturday @ Westwood Nursery 10am-3pm

2012 Tree Scheme Dates & EventsBack-up: April 13, 14, 15TS Ordering: May 15 – August 17Seedling Sale: May 30 – June 2Nursery Tubestock Orders: July – November

Order nursery grown seedlings

Trees For Life also takes orders for seedlings grown at

our Betty Westwood Nursery by our professional staff.

This option offers a greater range of species than the Tree Scheme.

Nursery tubestock can be ordered from July to November. Phone 8406 0500 for details.

Share the benefits and be rewarded

If you know of neighbours needing to revegetate, then

encourage them to join Trees For Life. We will refund $10 off your own materials & supply fee for each new person who joins us and orders this season (to a maximum of five).

Just let us know their names and once they have joined and ordered, we will post your refund.

Tree Scheme

Enchyleana tomentosa (ruby saltbush)

Kennedia prostrata (running postman)

Callistemon sieberi (river bottlebrush)

Lotus australis (austral trefoil)

Xanthorrhoea semiplana (yacca)

The nursery full of surplus seedlings, which will be available during the Surplus Sale on May 30, 31 & June 1, 2. Treemax products will also be for sale at discounted prices for TFL members. See Page 15 for details.


The better side of a disasterBy LEON MURRAY

I am a farmer at North Shields on Eyre Peninsula, 60 years

on the land, who in the first 30 years of business knocked down every tree and shrub I could to make way for agriculture.

The next 15 years saw the folly of my actions unravel in the form of soil salinity, erosion and lack of adequate shelter for stock.

In the past 15 years I have been standing trees and shrubs up again. My son and I have used Trees For Life and Landcare to replant and regenerate lost vegetation to our advantage.

Landcare subsidised direct seeding and fencing of sown areas as well as provided money for fencing of remnant vegetation (shelter belts). Trees For Life seedlings were planted among the remnants as infill.

In 2000 I fenced and seeded 50 acres of land and in 2004 the vegetation was from two to three metres in height. Main species were Sheoak, Sugar Gum, Golden Wattle and other indigenous shrubs.

Black TuesdayThen disaster struck by way

of the Black Tuesday Wangary January 11, 2005 bushfire which almost obliterated all native species in its path.

Imagine how dejected I felt seeing a decade of plantings and remnant vegetation reduced to blackened sticks and trunks. Fencing was just a line of blackened wire. Insurance and Landcare took care of re-fencing and nature took care of revegetation. The National Australia Bank bought us our membership and trees for 2006. My son had been a member previously.

Within three months of disaster, regeneration slowly took place within my direct seeding and Trees For Life seedling plots and during the winter of 2005, we had a

plethora of seedlings appear which had apparently been activated by the fire.

We even had species germinate that I had not seen on my property for 40 years.

As a result of the 2005 disaster, in the few short years since, we now have scrub as I knew scrub 60 years ago. Kangaroos and birds have returned in numbers not known for 50 years, knowing that the lush, almost impenetrable new growth is a food source and affords them security from predators and for breeding. There are now ample hollow nesting logs where there were few before.

Recovery helpI sincerely thank Trees

For Life’s volunteer growers for the part they played in performing the recovery of my property, and also the recovery of many other properties on Lower Eyre Peninsula.

I have now withdrawn from some of the chores of farming, but will never retire from the lifestyle. While the Landcare bucket has dried up, I and my son will continue to use the service of Trees For Life to fill as many corners and gaps as possible.

As with Trees For Life, I am proud of my commitment to the environment and recycling of CO2 in the quest to halt climate change and the eventual asphyxiation of life on this precious earth of ours.

Sense of prideI feel equally proud that I

have attained and maintained a balanced environment of agriculture and native vegetation which will feed and protect generations to come, and I am assured by my son’s involvement in this project so far that the tradition will endure for generations yet.

Loyalty by Trees For Life and volunteers will also endure for generations, gauging by the enthusiasm of the past that has been exhibited for the protection of the environment and this great planet of ours.

Rest assured... we have a back-up plan

Each year we assign a certain percentage of seedlings to be

grown as ‘back-up’ stock to ensure that everyone receives the plants they ordered.

If you are a grower who has fallen short of fulfilling your order, then back-up seedlings are available for you to collect from our Westwood Nursery on the advertised dates.

We will try to give you what you need, but we may have to give you substitute species as only the more common species are available in each zone. Most landholders understand that it is not always possible to grow exactly what has been ordered and will accept substitutes instead. Please discuss with your landholder if substitutes are okay prior to coming in for back-up.

If you are growing:• For a landholder: It

is your responsibility to collect back-up seedlings (if required) to ensure you

complete your order. • For a revegetation

project: You don’t need to get any back-up seedlings, TFL will do it for you.

• For yourself: Back-up supplies are available – however grow-your-own species won’t be available.Remember that your order

is only for 50 seedlings per box, however 60 tubes fit in a box so you might have enough to fill the order even if you have lost some. If you have most of your seedlings, don’t feel you have to make the trip to pick up those last few.

How to collect seedlings Please bring your Growing

Order (which lists the plants that you are growing) with you as identification and mark down what it is you need, which will allow us to help you effectively. The first few hours of the first day are always busy with a long queue of cars so please consider coming later in the day or on the following days. See the map below for directions.

Country growers please contact us directly on 8406 0500 for back-up seedlings.

Back-up seedlings available April 13, 14 & 15 Friday 10am-3pm Sat & Sun 10am-1pm

WESTWOOD NURSERYCnr May Tce & Sir Donald Bradman Drive,

Brooklyn Park

aIKEAAirport

Tree Scheme


To plant or not to plant - that is the bush regenetation questionBy MARK ELLIS Bush For Life Manager

Often the first thing people ask is “what are we going to

plant?” but perhaps what we should ask is “what is here already and how can we help it to regenerate on its own?”.

Bush regeneration means different things to different people. To us in the Bush For Life program it means working with nature rather than trying to replicate it. It’s about the bush healing itself, by gradually releasing the pressure of invasive weeds that are pushing out native plants, preventing them from growing, seeding and germinating and establishing new populations. It’s about allowing the seed bank in the soil, built up over many decades to regenerate, often letting species that have disappeared from sites decades ago reappear.

There are a number of reasons why regeneration is better than planting. If indigenous plants are allowed to regenerate naturally from seed or rootstock, we know for sure that they are appropriate to the local area, reducing the risk of genetic or species ‘accidents’. Plant densities and layouts from natural regeneration are more natural than those resulting from human hands - each species will choose the best microclimate and aspect for itself.

Natural regeneration results in a much broader suite of species than can be achieved by planting. Many local species are difficult to germinate in the nursery but manage to regenerate nicely if left to do their thing in the bush … as long as weed competition is reduced. Plant establishment is better too, with deep strong

root systems of naturally regenerated plants more able to withstand summer drought than plantings. Sometimes growth rates might be slower in regenerated areas, mainly due to higher plant densities, but this leads to tougher, better plants in the long run. After all, bush regeneration is not gardening and our aim isn’t to get a straight, perfect stem. Our aim is to provide a long term, self-sustaining habitat.

But of course we have to be practical about the chances of regeneration happening spontaneously, within a reasonable timeframe. Areas that have been used for agriculture or have been heavily grazed often have little or no indigenous plants left and are prime candidates for revegetation. Don’t be deceived however. It’s surprisingly common to find a diverse range of native grasses and understorey species in these degraded situations.

There are several situations where careful planting or reintroduction of species can be useful in bush regeneration, including:• Where key habitat species

have been lost from a site through clearance or degradation and have no prospect of regenerating from the soil seed bank or colonizing from adjacent vegetation.

• Situations where stabilisation is needed quickly such as creek banks or eroded slopes.Of course there are

also alternative methods - somewhere between planting

and regeneration – such as hand direct seeding of native grasses into degraded areas.

Seed can be collected on site and after some initial weed control lightly scarified into the soil for nature to do its work. This technique has been very successful on some of our BFL sites, such as Beach Road in Noarlunga.

Another reason we don’t advocate that volunteers start planting projects on Bush For Life sites is the tendency for those projects to get all the attention while little noticed weeds are running amok in the good bush, destroying more habitat than we can ever reproduce through planting.

Sometimes we can see examples of where revegetation

A satisfying day in the bushBy PRIYA SPENCER

The final Bush Action Team day for 2011 was held at the beautiful Callitris Reserve, Tea Tree Gully. This unlikely

woodland reserve is situated in a suburban setting, and is a popular walking area for local residents, just minutes from their home. It kicked off to a fantastic start with a keen mix of 10 volunteers, including experienced regulars and newcomers learning the ropes. Two perennial grass weed fronts originally defined by the site carers were followed up and pushed back, exposing the battling new native growth. In the last part of the day a high biodiversity area was spot regenerated, revealing an exciting number of seedlings previously struggling with heavy weed competition. Included in the day was a tour of the uncommon native species and areas of exemplary native regeneration within the site. In addition, the sedge revegetation by the TFL Works team was visited to demonstrate other techniques being employed on the reserve. The day was a huge success, and even attracted attention from local residents who are now keen to become involved. Well done to the BAT volunteers and site carers for a fabulous effort on this marvelous reserve.

has gone horribly wrong. Well intentioned but misguided projects where planting and in particular the ‘weed control’ associated with the planting has actually destroyed local biodiversity, resulting in a great leap backwards.

The take-home message from this is know your site, make sure you get to know what remnant indigenous species occur there and understand what the limiting factors to the regeneration of native species are. It might be as simple as destocking, controlling feral animals or changing the slashing regime. Observe a site for several seasons before undertaking revegetation, so try to be patient.

Bush For Life

Poorly planned and unauthorised revegetation where heavy handed weed control eradicated large areas of healthy kangaroo grass - Pimelea, Scaevola and Lomandras.

Natural regeneration of understorey species in previously degraded areas on Shannon Reserve.


Special BAT days open to all

This year we are opening our BAT days to anyone

to participate, whether they have trained in bush regeneration or not.

Over the years our BAT program has gone from strength to strength and we now feel we are providing such a great level of support and supervision that we are able to involve people who are new to the concept of ‘minimal disturbance bush regeneration’, while still providing high quality bushcare to our much loved bushcare sites.

In the past, only those who have undertaken our one-day Introductory Bush Regeneration workshops have been able to attend our BAT days.

You can now learn by ‘giving it a go’ in a supported, friendly and safe environment. It might also help you decide whether or not you’d like to get further involved in BFL. We will however be continuing with our strong focus on ongoing training in the BFL program and this year we are running 20 of our popular Introductory Bush Regeneration workshops and a selection of advanced workshops. However, volunteers who would like to ‘adopt’ a BFL site of their own will still need to do the Introductory Bush Regeneration training first.

If you are interested in coming along to a BAT day, here are a small selection of upcoming dates:• April 11 at Mylor• April 19 at Belair• June 17 at Hallett Cove• June 30 at Blackwood

All sites have spectacular views, with some featuring endangered Grey Box Woodland. Weeds to be eradicated will include woody weeds, olives and pines, scabious and buckthorn.

For more information phone 8406 0500 or email [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you out there in 2012!

Fire and hard work helps the weed battle at Gully ReserveBy DONNA BAGSHAW

Gully Reserve, in Mount Osmond, was established as

a Bush For Life site in June 1997, but it wasn’t until October 2001 that the current team of volunteer bushcarers started work on the weedy Blue Gum grassy woodland. Malcolm and I joined at the initial stage, Carole followed in February 2002 and Peter joined us in June 2003.

In the beginning our battle was terribly daunting as Olives, Boneseed, Cotton Bush, Blackberry, Salvation Jane, False Caper, Tangier Pea and annual grasses had a strong hold. Each weed would take turns in seasonal domination while Scabious and Plantain was predominant all year.

Together we waged a war against the Tangier Pea that dominated the gully. Visits became more regular as our passion and drive to rid the site of the dreaded pea increased. Our efforts continued each year as it reared its ugly tendrils but by 2009 we’d won! Fumitory numbers increased following the pea, but in one visit we had its days numbered.

Loads of diversityThe diversity has become

more apparent over the years with the establishment of Lomandra, Convolvulus, Vanilla and Garland Lilies, New Holland Daisies, Australian Hollyhock, seven native grasses and the prized ferns - Cloak, Rock and Blanket.

A blessing in disguise occurred in April 2011 when a low intensity fire burnt 90 per cent of our site. Instead of seeing it as a disaster, we turned it into a positive and took the opportunity to monitor the benefits of low intensity fire on native vegetation health. Photo monitoring quadrats were quickly established

and we discovered, among other things, that Guildford Grass was not affected by the fire and dominated.

Burnside Council provided contractor support to treat it with a broadleaf specific spray while we continued to do the finer hand removal work around native plants.

The changes that have occurred since then have been amazing with all the Lomandra reshooting, Convolvulus growing like crazy, increasing Hollyhock numbers, local acacias popping up in the hot burn area and due to the lack of competition from annual grasses, native grasses have germinated and spread across the site.

Inspiration growsWith each visit our inspiration

grows (at a greater rate than the weeds!) as do our relationships with one another. During our

monthly visits we talk about upcoming events in our lives and in the quiet moments we listen for new birdcalls as best we can (thanks to BFL’s Peter Watton for starting our bird species list). Afterwards we take in the views over Adelaide City while enjoying coffee and cake prepared by Carole.

Together, we look forward to seeing further beneficial changes and new germinations over the next 12 months while continuing to follow up and prevent the spread of weed seed. The communication that’s developed within the group, and the shared sense of purpose, has allowed our team to successfully assist in the regeneration on site.

Low intensity fire and follow up care from an inspired Bush For Life team certainly seems like a successful recipe for improving regeneration in a grassy woodland!

Bush For Life

Gully Reserve Bush For Life site immediately after the fire in April 2011.

Convolvulous, Lomandras and native grasses regenerating rapidly six months later.


Wattle we do with this lot?By DENNIS HAYLES Direct Seeding Officer

In the past decade, Trees For Life’s Direct Seeding Program

has become increasingly involved in helping ‘Undo the Damage’ in our state’s food bowl, the Riverland.

The mighty River Murray runs through this region and over time it has been over-cleared, its river bled of the most important resource – water – and with it has come dust storms, drought and desperation.

In collaboration with federal, state and local governments, landholders and interest groups, large tracts of denuded land are being revegetated to address dryland salinity, erosion and water quality, and reconnecting vegetation to improve biodiversity and aesthetics.

To do this, hundreds of kilograms of local provenance seed is required and in such an unforgiving land this can prove very problematic.

The local mallee eucalypts and melaleucas are generous and hang onto lots of gumnuts and seed capsules most of the year round, allowing collection to be scheduled across the calendar.

Acacias however, produce pods that dry in summer and if not collected, fall to the

ground and are not recoverable for future revegetation.

And sometimes they don’t produce at all for up to three or four years.

That is why it is so important that we optimise our time in December and January, traversing the dryland mallee plains collecting species when they do provide viable quantities of seed.

Very important but irregularly setting species include the acacias - hakeoides, ligulata, microcarpa, nyssophylla and oswaldii.

This year the Riverland has provided a great supply and after many days of collection, followed by desiccation in the drying tunnel, we are now processing the seed, recording and storing it for later planting after the opening winter rains.

After two days of processing, our collections yielded approximately 130kg of clean acacia seed. This seed will form an important part of the seed mix for our ongoing Involvement in the River Murray Forest Project. We are currently working on revegetation of a 170 hectare privately owned property at Murbko, north of Blanchetown.

Successful outcomes in this vital revegetation will turn a cleared and rundown grazing property into a vibrant biodiverse habitat and carbon sink absorbing more than 11,000 tonnes of CO².

Cleaning seed collected from the Riverland are volunteers, from left, Alan Dandie and Ben Brinkman.


Carbon farming initiative an opportunity for landholdersBy SUZANNE DICKEY Finlaysons Lawyers

The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI), which began on

December 8 2011, allows landholders to earn carbon credits for reducing emissions or storing carbon on their land.

For approved activities, the government will issue Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs), also known as CFI units. These units can then be sold to people and businesses wishing to offset their emissions, including those businesses that must purchase credits under the Carbon Pricing Mechanism each year.

Certain activities will be eligible or excluded activities for the purposes of the CFI to insure additionality. Units will not be allowed for projects that are required by law or activities that are common practice and already widely adopted.

Eligible practicesCFI land management

practices that may be eligible include reforestation, revegetation, native forest protection, improved management of forests and forest restoration.

Forest is defined in the CFI regulations as a minimum contiguous area of land of at least 0.2 hectare with potential tree crown cover of more than 20 per cent with trees with potential to reach minimum height of two metres when mature.

The government has approved a methodology for quantifying carbon sequestration by permanent environmental planting of native species and management of permanent native forests. The CFI is not intended to encourage the destruction of existing native vegetation.

Landowners can participate

in the CFI through several avenues. One option is to manage the project yourself. This requires applying to join the CFI as a Recognised Offset Entity and opening a registry account, then applying for an Eligible Offsets Project, undertaking the activity, submitting reports and applying for credits. Another option is to engage a specialist to assist with the process on a fee-for-service basis, while retaining ownership of the land and carbon credits. A third option is to sell potential carbon property rights to an offset aggregator, allowing the aggregator to manage all aspects of the project and own the credits.

Recognising landownersThe CFI provides a new

option for landholders who wish to be recognised for the carbon-capture of reforestation projects. Reforestation projects that began after 1990 may be eligible projects under the CFI.

More details can be found at www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au.

Footnote: Trees For Life will be applying to be a Recognised Offset Entity and will be offering environmental

planting services to members wanting to participate in the CFI. Please refer to the next (Winter) edition of ReLeaf for more information.


Christmas thank you for Bush Action Team volunteersPicnic in the park lands

This year the Bush Action Team volunteers were joined by Bush For Life site volunteers for the annual Christmas party. A great day was had by all!

Members Pages

Bush For Life Operations Manager Peter Watton with bushcarers Pam Fiala and Jan Madeley.

Bush For Life volunteers Dennis Slade and Barry Hunter.

Volunteers Jim Byfield and Glenn Giles.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Native Vegetation Council Research Officer Toni Milne chats with Bush For Life Projects Manager Alex Coombe.

Volunteer bushcarers Brian Dinnison and his sister Thelma Dinnison.

Bushcarers Jan Franklin, left, and Carolyn Slade.


Fond memories from long-term membersBy JUDY & KYM KNIGHT

Thank you so much for the recent gift of certificate and

key ring we received in the mail.Gosh it is still clear in our

minds that great meeting with St. Barbe in his chair and diligent caring Adelaideans fussing around beautifully for his comfort, as all-the-while there was this awesome air of anticipation and excitement in the hall as we all found our seats.

I will never forget the girls who stood up so bravely and said “We need a name change to be inclusive of all” and on we proudly went to be the biggest group ever! Amazing.

In the 30 years we have done whatever we can to promote the group and indigenous tree planting in South Australia as well as finding money for the ongoing growth of the group.

After Kym completed a Diploma of Arboriculture in Melbourne we set about starting a sorely needed State group to improve all aspects of the tree science that is arboriculture.

Being founding members of The South Australian Society of Arboriculture also took away much of our volunteer energies for the last 12 years.

This group has been pivotal in shaping the important Significant Tree Legislation and helping to retain it, as well as bringing much needed training in arboriculture to SA. Visit www.TreeSA.biz to view our great ethics.

We work closely with Treenet, also proudly Adelaide-based, under David Lawry and Dr Jennifer Gardiner’s stewardship and Arboriculture Australia - a subgroup of the vital International Society of Arboriculture, now 86 years old. Their website www.isa/arbor.com shows their exponential growth also and has wonderful resources for on-going tree care.

We were volunteers recently

in Sydney for their 800-delegate global ISA conference. The proceedings will be available to all soon and will be full of vital current research in all aspects of arboriculture.

Prior to this we used TFL equipment to revegetate our 20 acre property at Williamstown - now a bed and breakfast. I set up a Kids For Landcare program-nursery with all classes at Williamstown Primary for six years, again tapping into your booklet, equipment and the beaut TFL regional officers Ruth and Colin Charlesworth for support.

The local policeman once said “While the program was running in town vandalism was non existent” and students still call me Landcare Lady when I see them in the supermarket. Nice!

Also with your resources I became a propagation officer for The Williamstown Lyndoch & District Landcare Group with nurseries at a farmer’s property and our home for 4000 tubes annually.

It felt so important to do this work, even though so tired one day I gently rear-ended a car on the way home from the city depot and had potting mix right through the entire floor of the car! I think it was a sign to slow up, which we did.

Since then we have bought our own mini catchment in the Barossa Goldfields area and after establishing a great home and orchard, it appears we will need your help again as the poor skeletal soils have had some great regeneration occurring since the stock was removed (but much more is needed).

“The Prescott Method” - after renown botanist Anne Prescott (or the-wait-n-see-what-comes-back-method) is now over and it’s time to move out into the problem areas.

Being a buffer property to Parra Wirra Recreation Park and adjacent to some of the best remnant roadside veg in the Barossa Council region, it’s important to get it right.

So as we gather our strength and plan for the future we will be reinvigorated by your kind gifts and cheer.

2012 Bush For Life workshops (B1)

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer on one of our Bush For Life sites or would like to learn more about managing your

own bushland then come along to an Introductory Bush For Life workshop. Phone 8406 0500 to register for workshops.

Sat March 17 Brooklyn ParkTues April 17 Mt BarkerSat April 28 Port ElliotSat May 5 Morphett ValeThurs May 10 AuburnSat May 26 Tea Tree GullyTues June 5 StrathalbynSat June 16 Norton SummitSat June 30 Brooklyn ParkThurs July 19 ElizabethSat July 28 BrightonSat August 4 TanundaTues August 14 Aberfoyle ParkSat September 15 Murray BridgeSat October 6 WillungaThurs October 18 Mt BarkerTues November 6 Brooklyn ParkSat November 17 Stirling

2012 Advanced BFL workshopsBrushcutter Use & June 21–22 Maintenance Brooklyn Park & FieldBroadleaf Weed Control in Jul 12 Brooklyn Park Grassy Ecosystems Basic Plant Identification Sep 20 StirlingBasic Plant Identification Sep 22 Eden Hills (Karinya)Grass ID + Management Oct 25 Brooklyn ParkGrass ID + Management Oct 27 Eden Hills (Karinya)

Happy 25th Willunga TFL

Congratulations to our Willunga Trees For Life

group, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

The group will mark the occasion with a barbecue and entertainment by Playback Theatre Willunga on April 4 at 6.30pm in the Tatachilla Lutheran College. Present and past members are invited to bring along photos and recollections of 25 years of TFL activity in Willunga, from the first to the most recent year.

The Willunga group’s first meeting was held on April 2, 1987. About 40 people attended including current members Kate Parkin, Clare Longhorn, Joyce West, and Faye Lush.

The group was initially known as the Fleurieu Group of Men of the Trees, with meetings alternating between Willunga and Yankalilla. Kate Parkin led members for the first 10 years and set up a framework which is still largely followed by the current group such as attendance at the annual Almond Blossom Festival and a monthly Quarry Market.

Its first major project was a 1988 Bicentennial Project to plant local species on the Willunga to McLaren Vale Linear Park along the old railway line. Apart from growing for the TFL Tree Scheme and helping as bushcarers, members have grown nearly 20,000 trees and shrubs for the local environment.

For more information on the 25th anniversary, phone Julie Turner on 8556 2401.

Members Pages

Trees For Life Autumn 2012 Number 12214

Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges: Kym Good – 8273 9100

Alinytjara Wilurara: Trevor Naismith -– 8357 3880

Eyre Peninsula: Annie Lane – 8682 5755

Kangaroo Island: Bill Haddrill – 8553 4300

Northern & Yorke: Lynne Walden – 8636 2361

South Australian Arid Lands: Geoff Axford – 8648 5194

South Australian Murray-Darling Basin: Hugo Hopton – 8532 9100

South East: Tim Collins – 8724 6000

Trees For Life: 8406 0500

Blackwood Seeds (Fleurieu Peninsula, Mid North, Adelaide Hills & Murray Mallee): 8558 8288

Northern Lofty Native Seeds: 8566 3073

Provenance Indigenous Nursery (Adelaide coast, plains and hills): 8345 0300

Themeda (Adelaide Plains): 8431 5768

Fleurieu Natives (Adelaide Hills and South Coast): 8556 9167

Yorke Seeds (Yorke Peninsula): 8853 1120

Eucaleuca Native Services (South East): 8762 2061

Growing Bush (Southern Mt Lofty Ranges & South Adelaide): 0427 722 979

Alexandrina Community Nursery (Southern Fleurieu and South Coast): 8554 2555

Eyre Native Seeds (Eyre Peninsula & Far West): 8682 6233

Barossa Bushgardens (Barossa region): 0448 676 348

South Para Biodiversity Project: Yvonne Gravier – 0430 018 007

Indigeflora Nursery: 8326 2143

Trees For Life, 5 May Tce, Brooklyn Park 5032

Ph: (08) 8406 0500

Fax: (08) 8406 0599

[email protected]

www.treesforlife.org.au

President: David Mitchell

Vice President: Michael Cain

Treasurer: Hanne Damgaard

Secretary: Nathan Daniell

Board Members: David Grybowski, Megan Harper, Warren Hilton, Jonathan Lambert, Natasha Davis and Megan Antcliff

Chief Executive Officer: Carmel Dundon

Office Manager: Lisa Adams

Tree Scheme Manager: Maureen Redfern

Bush For Life Manager: Mark Ellis

Direct Seeding Manager: David Hein

TFL Works Manager: Sam Rudolph

TFL Carbon: Dennis Hayles

Seedbank: Bruce Smith

Sponsorship: Glenys Perri

Gawler: Sylvia Nieuwenhuizen – 8406 8419

Noarlunga: Graham Greaves – 8386 1018

Willunga: Julie Turner – 8556 2401; Paul Rosser – 8557 7483

Mt Gambier: Briony Schleuniger – 8724 9759

Mt Pleasant: Ruth Charlesworth – 8524 6661

Clare: Dean Schubert – 8843 4317

Trees For Life

Trees For Life Board

Trees For Life Contacts

Trees For Life Rural

NRM Board Contacts

Local Native Seed and Seedling Suppliers

Suppliers supporting TFL and Special

Member Benefits

Happy belated new year everyone!

We want to start the new year with some peace, love and giving so for every album or MP3 download purchased between now and April 31, we will donate $5 to Trees For Life!

To add more love, we have dropped the price of our album to $19 and the MP3 download to $14.

Please help spread the word and save and protect our native bushland!

For more info on Trees For Life and to purchase an album please see links below … much love to all! E&E Xx

http://www.echoandtheempress.com/

(Adelaide sisters Skye and Beth Lockwood make up local band Echo and the Empress).

Musical donation

Alfred James: A tree is planted in memory of loved ones through the Memory Tree Program

Banner Hardware: Visit your nearest Banner Hardware store to apply for your ‘Advantage Card’. TFL members will receive a $5 voucher on joining and up to 10 per cent discount off purchases

Earth Greetings: Free book mark with every pack of Dreamscapes greeting cards purchased at TFL’s on-line shop (www.treesforlife.org.au). Every pack sold contributes to a tree being planted

Eco Direct: Invites you to try Australia’s leading eco nappy for free

Eco Pest Control: Donates $3.50 for every Termite baiting installation

Foodland: Support the businesses that support TFL - Shop at Foodland ‘The Mighty South Aussies’ and buy SA

JA Grigson Trading: Provides a contribution to TFL through our member sales

Soul Deal: Register for on-line daily deals, save money and support TFL through your purchases

Taking Care of Trees: Makes a donation to TFL for every tree they remove

Treemax: TFL members get special rates on tree guards and stakes at the Surplus and Garden sale (Betty Westwood Nursery May 30 – June 2)

GRUNN: 15 per cent discount on all products purchased on the www.grunn.com.au website (see opposite page)

Find us on:

Service Directory


DisclaimerTrees For Life takes no responsibility for the services or products featured in its quarterly magazine, ReLeaf.

Perpetual Sponsor

15% discount for members

GRÜNN believes that through reforestation and the use of

more energy-efficient products, we can all make a difference to the environment by reducing the current rate of global warming.

For each product sold, GRÜNN will contribute $1 towards the ‘GRÜNN Greener Tomorrow’ campaign. These funds will be donated to Trees For Life on a regular basis to grow and plant native seedlings, helping to counter the detrimental effects of global warming.

As an introductory offer, TFL Members are being offered a 15% discount on all products purchased on the www.grunn.com.au website

For example a Green 1.8 litre stainless steel kettle is only $50.49 for TFL members, or the hand electric mixer is just $21.23.

As Grunn grows, they are keen to contribute back to the community through the sale of their products.

Treemax new TFL sponsor

Geofabrics Australasia* (“Geofabrics”), owners of

Treemax, is a new Red Gum sponsor of Trees For Life.

The new relationship will not only benefit TFL members and volunteers through discounted revegetation products and a streamlined ordering system, but landholders will also be able to seek local advice.

Recognising a need in Australia for a truly professional revegetation and erosion control supplier, Geofabrics took the step recently of acquiring the environmentally conscious Treemax business.

Treemax specialises in the supply of soil stabilisation, sediment and weed control geotextiles, and a wide range of revegetation and wetland products. Its philosophy is to supply innovative, quality products that are environmentally responsible, organic, biodegradable or made from recycled materials and manufactured in Australia.

Treemax’s products include MaxJute, ReCover and Grassroots erosion matting, fastening pins, treeguard sleeves, mesh treeguard, , tree planting tools, tree-tie materials and, bird net and support arches and pruning tools. Treemax also supplies Elco rock a sandbag system which has been widely

TFL Sponsorship Manager Glenys Perri recognises Geofabrics-Treemax as a new Red Gum sponsor through Sales Specialist Shaune Amber.

adopted by Local Councils and landholders along the Murray River system and coastal areas. (www.elcorock.com.au).

South Australian Treemax Products Specialist in Sales, Shaune Amber, can help landholders with advice on their revegetation requirements. To see Treemax’s full range of products log onto www.treemax.com.au or phone Shaune on 0407 882 862.

Treemax products discounted at nursery sale

Discounted Treemax products will be available for TFL

members at the Betty Westwood Nursery during the annual surplus and garden sale on May 30 – June 2: • Eziguardwide Corflute

Tree Guards 450x200mm: $95 per 100

• Hardwood Stake 75cmx11.38mm: $24.50 per 50

• Treeguard Sleeve 450mm wide x 370mm high: $16.50 per 50

• Bamboo Stake 750mmx10-12mm: $55 per 500

• Treeguards on roll 450x350mm: $60.50 per 200.All prices include GST.

Sponsors and Supporters


Maggie the m

agpie by Hannah

Hey kids, work out your own carbon footprint

Trees are the lungs of our planet. They absorb carbon

dioxide from the atmosphere and also store carbon.

Carbon dioxide is what we breathe out. Carbon is a solid material.

All living things are made of carbon. Carbon is also a part of the ocean, air, and even rocks – it doesn’t stay still, it’s on the move constantly.

In the atmosphere, carbon is attached to oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide.

Plants use carbon dioxide and sunlight to make their own food and grow. The carbon becomes part of the plant – for example over half the dry weight of a tree is carbon. Plants that die and are buried may turn into fossil fuels made of carbon such as coal and oil over millions of years. When humans burn fossil fuels, most of the carbon quickly enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which traps heat in the atmosphere. Without it and other greenhouse gases, our Earth would be a frozen world.

But humans have burned so much fuel that there is about 30% more carbon dioxide in the air today than there was about 150 years ago, resulting in Earth becoming a warmer place. Ice cores indicate that there is now more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than there has been in the last 420,000 years. (Source – UCAR – University Corporation for Atmospheric Research).

Do our quick on-line quiz to see what your carbon footprint is and learn some tips on how to reduce your impact.

http://www.treesforlife.org.au/home/kidscarboncalculator/

A big thank you to Lara, who drew this beautiful grasshopper picture for Kids Branch

Our Nursery Officer Graham Greaves enjoyed a surprise visit from his grandsons during the school holidays and all were more than keen to show how much they love Trees For Life by branding themselves (and Grandad) with our stickers.

Did you know?

Australia produced about 2 billion steel cans last

year, 1.2 billion of them for food and others for paint, chemicals and aerosals.

Australia recycles about 43 per cent of them – not bad but well behind the top-ranked people of Luxembourg (in western

Europe) who recycle 93 per cent of their steel cans.

If steel cans aren’t recycled, they end up in the ordinary waste stream going straight to landfill, where they can take up to 25 years to decompose.

Just another great reason to recycle isn’t it?

Documents

ReLeaf Autumn 2012