Impact Report 2021-2022

GOING BEYOND

OUR MISSION is to restore and protect South Australian landscapes, foster an appreciation and love of nature and empower people to take action for our bushland, farmland and urban landscapes.

OUR VISION is for all South Australians to value our native plants and animals and be actively involved in protecting the land we love for current and future generations.

OUR CHALLENGE is to enact our mission amidst a climate crisis and help our natural landscapes remain healthy and resilient.

Trees For Life acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of our land and waters and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge and respect the deep spiritual connection and relationship that First Nations have to Country.

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

In my fifth year as President I continue to be amazed by the energy and passion of Trees For Life staff, volunteers and supporters.

As a Kangaroo Island resident, I have greatly enjoyed welcoming Trees For Life staff and volunteers to Kangaroo Island throughout the year as they dedicate themselves to the task of removing Tasmanian blue gum ‘wildlings’ — a highly invasive weed threat in our high quality bushland that features many rare and endemic plants. This project exemplified the qualities of Trees For Life — dedication, practical action and a commitment to making a difference to South Australia’s biodiversity.

The Board has provided valuable leadership to the staff team. We have undertaken a review of our Constitution and By-Laws, and recommended changes to the Constitution were adopted through an EGM in April.

I would like to thank all our board members and in particular outgoing Treasurer Janine Lynch and outgoing board members Stuart Collard and Andrew Dolley. We are very grateful for their collective leadership and wisdom.

As well as delivering a wide range of programs and services, the Board and staff have been focusing on a number of strategic priorities, including delivery of our Climate Change Resilience Strategy and Reconciliation Action Plan, developing a monitoring and evaluation framework to better demonstrate our impact, and workforce planning.

A highlight of the year has been the publication of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan which provides us with the foundation for embedding respect, relationships and opportunities for First Nations peoples across our organisation and to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to guide Trees For Life’s activities.

The success of Trees For Life is tied inextricably to our volunteers, supporters, partners and staff as everyone translates their personal values and passion into action that supports positive outcomes for South Australia’s landscapes and biodiversity.

By making a Gift in their Will, our thoughtful donors also help to build a solid foundation for our future.

As we go beyond our 40th year, please accept my heartfelt thanks for being part of the Trees For Life family and for doing work that matters.

“Community is much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter.”

- Brian Solis Jeanette Gellard – President

FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The past year has seen Trees For Life make progress in a number of areas that will help us improve our impact — from increasing the efficiency of seed use through to new partnerships. We recognise that investing in new knowledge, capacity and collaborations is increasingly important as the scale and complexity of threats to nature grows.

This financial year Trees For Life has also delivered a great diversity of revegetation projects, which have collectively resulted in nearly 600,000 native seedlings making their home in South Australian soil, enriching local biodiversity and bringing beauty to the world in immeasurable ways.

the aim of re-establishing species that have been lost to the Adelaide Plains. We were also able to continue supporting landholders with bushfire recovery across South Australia through the supply of subsidised native seedlings, guards and stakes and to support Cudlee Creek landholders with planting days.

We’re extremely fortunate to have an extensive number of partners across government, business and the non-government sector.

Each of our partnerships brings something special and enables us to deliver such a diversity of projects and activities. We’re also grateful to partnerships that enable us to invest in future knowledge and capacity like developing new direct seeding methodologies.

In its 40th year, the iconic Tree Scheme continued to provide a low cost way to access seedlings across the whole state; grown by volunteers from all walks of life. Our Westwood Nursery grew over 232 species and was at full capacity. The Direct Seeding team delivered projects in the Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula and Yorke Peninsula. Around 8,500 paddock trees have been planted and guarded in the Adelaide Hills and Limestone Coast — creating the next generation of these magnificent trees that will provide food and homes for threatened and declining birds as well as shade and shelter for livestock. It is small, rare plants that have been the focus of planting efforts in a number of Bush For Life sites, with

Our staff are fantastic and each person makes such a whole-hearted contribution; I am incredibly grateful to you all.

To the thousands of members, volunteers and donors who support our work — thank you for your relentless passion, dedication and vision.

Natasha Davis – Chief Executive Officer

Our programs BUSH FOR LIFE

The Bush For Life program has reinvented itself over the last year or two in a number of ways. From how we work, to where we work and the kinds of conservation activities we undertake. The most significant example of this change is the planting activities we have been offering our volunteers. Since 2020, the Bush For Life team has developed a volunteer planting program, largely in response to bushfires. Being able to offer this activity has led to wider engagement of volunteers and new ways of working with our partner organisations. More recently, we have extended this approach to some of our Bush For Life sites.

returned lost plants to the Adelaide Plains, increased the diversity of our sites and created a seed source for future conservation efforts. This is a different way of achieving restoration and will open up some options for how we tackle the emerging threat of climate change.

Another way the Bush For Life program has evolved in recent years is where we work. Extended trips to the South East and Kangaroo Island have been very well attended and allowed staff and volunteers to experience new ecosystems and meet new Trees For Life members.

Traditionally, we have not planted in bushland but have focused on removing the weeds so that the native plants can flourish. Over the last 12 months we have worked carefully and thoughtfully with the SA Seed Conservation Centre and ecologists from Green Adelaide to reintroduce some rare plants into our Bush For Life sites. In doing so, we have

What will never change is the vital importance of our volunteers to the success of the Bush For Life program. The more opportunities we can offer to encourage, empower and support everyone to get involved in this critical work, the more we can achieve together.

Amelia Hurren – Manager, Bush For Life

The more opportunities we can offer to encourage, empower and support everyone to get involved in this critical work, the more we can achieve together.

Our programs DIRECT SEEDING

The Direct Seeding program had a successful year, seeding 220 hectares, on revegetation projects across a variety of different landscapes and regions of South Australia, with a number of partners and landholders.

A collaboration between Trees For Life, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and two private landholders, resulted in the planting of a revegetation corridor at Paringa in the Riverland for the Regent Parrot (eastern subspecies) Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides to use in the future. The corridor links their night time resting areas near the river to their feeding grounds in mature mallee. This project is supported by our Trees For Habitat program.

A highlight of the year was the design, development and trial of new seed boxes. Our current machines have two seed boxes that sow continuously. This has worked well over the last 20 years but there is less control over the structure of the revegetation than we would like. With the new seed boxes we can control and improve the structure and also save seed. Availability of seed for large revegetation projects is a major issue we face in changing climatic conditions.

Thanks to all our volunteers who have assisted in seed collection and some hand seeding jobs throughout the year.

Seed collection went well with most species setting good amounts of seed over the milder conditions in 2020-21.

Working with Landcare Australia, we have completed 160 hectares of direct seeding across five sites from Cape Jervis to Sedan, and we’ve also undertaken projects for a number of private landholders across South Australia.

A replicated trial has been sown on three sites. One lower rainfall zone (< 300 millimetres), one medium rainfall zone (350–450 millimetres) and one high rainfall zone (500+ millimetres).

We’ll monitor these sites over the coming year and plan future development based on results. We are grateful to the QBE Foundation and our generous donors for supporting this work.

Thanks also go to Alex Molnar and Phil Jones for their work in the program and also Natasha, the Fundraising and Marketing team, TFL Works, other Trees For Life staff that assisted the Direct Seeding program, and the Frontline Team for their invaluable support.

David Hein – Manager, Direct Seeding & Carbon

Our programs TREE SCHEME & WESTWOOD NURSERY

The Tree Scheme and Westwood Nursery have always operated on dedication and team work and this came to the fore this year with staff and volunteers alike needing to adjust regularly to each new challenge and opportunity that came their way; they had much to be proud of as the year came to a close.

that follow the Grower Handbook through each key stage of seedling propagation and care.

There was another strong Tree Scheme order season in 2021, with over 200,000 seedlings grown by our highly passionate team of volunteer growers across the state. Thanks to the Wildlife Recovery Fund, ElectraNet and Harvey Foundation for their support through subsidies on Tree Scheme orders this financial year.

As the good seasons continue, our Seed Bank Manager and volunteers have been working hard to collect and process as much as they can to bank seed for ‘a less rainy day’ in the future. The Seed Bank is also sharing its specialist collection skills to support a range of regional conservation projects for native grasslands in the Mid North, mallee associations north of the Murray River, bushfire recovery, pest snail control research on Yorke Peninsula and Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo habitat species in the South East.

We had a busy grower training season and ran several sessions online for people who were unable to attend due to health, work or geography. We have recently updated our grower resources with several short videos

The Westwood Nursery grew orders to its full capacity this year at just over 120,000 seedlings and hosted another great plant sale that was well-supported by our members and friends with over 15,000 plants sold

at the event. We again invested in important infrastructure, replacing and extending the hothouse and installing blinds to improve the comfort for our hard working team of volunteers in winter and summer.

Special thanks to IKEA Adelaide for donating an outdoor table set so our nursery volunteers could take their meal breaks outside in relative comfort over the long period of COVID-19 restrictions.

Vicki-Jo Russell – Manager, Revegetation Services

Our programs TFL WORKS

The TFL Works team had another busy and productive year, completing nearly 10,000 hours across 100 sites throughout the Adelaide region. We continue to provide quality bush regeneration services that improve the condition of the native habitats we work in.

One major project in 2021-22 was olive control within Glenthorne National Park and Upper Field River. At Upper Field River the team removed around 0.9 hectares of olives and desert ash from within the creek line and around mallee box. This has completely changed the landscape from a dense olive forest back to its original habitat, an open woodland. The bird life has embraced the change with honeyeaters and fairy wrens loving the dead olives to forage within and a boobook owl spotted on the cliff face.

The team completed several weed control projects throughout the Scott Creek fire scar from the bushfire that occurred in January 2021. This included areas within Scott Creek Conservation Park, as well as land owned by Adelaide Hills Council, SA Water and private landholders. Being able to work across the landscape and connect several areas together was so beneficial in the overall weed control effort to reduce the spread of fire loving weeds throughout the region.

Through a generous donation from Harbour Town, the team acquired new equipment including drills, spray packs, brushcutters, a trailer and a water cart. This has allowed us to hire additional team members to support our operations, nearly doubling our capacity. The 2,500 litre water cart, with remote controlled hose reels, increases our watering capacity to support revegetated seedlings and help them survive the hot summers.

With warmer and drier climates predicted this will be much needed in the future to ensure revegetation projects continue to have high survival rates.

Alisha Chaplin – Acting Manager, TFL Works

We continue to provide quality bush regeneration services that improve the condition of the native habitats we work in.

Our projects LIMESTONE COAST PADDOCK TREE PROJECT

Over the last 12 months the Limestone Coast Paddock Tree Project continued its strong momentum, exceeding the target for establishing new seedlings and attracting further funding to deliver a third year of activity. In 2021-22, the project worked with 64 landholders to plant and guard over 1,800 seedlings and protect 25 existing paddock trees across the range of the South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne) within the Limestone Coast region.

One of the project aims is to work with landholders to trial a range of tree guard styles, including improvised designs from existing farm materials, to test which could be most cost-effectively rolled out at landscape scale and meet community demand. As always with land management, it’s not straight forward with results differing depending on the type and number of stock and existing paddock conditions and remnant trees. What we have learned so far, together with tips for effective guard construction, have been summarised in a series of fact sheets and short instructional videos to share with the community. A Facebook group has also been established to make it easy for landholders with an interest in establishing and/or protecting paddock trees to share their advice and resources. This project was jointly funded through the Limestone Coast Landscape Board and the Australian Government Smart Farms Program.

Our projects

SOUTH EAST COCKY HABITAT PROJECT

It’s a great privilege to continue to play such a significant role in the Communities helping Cockies recovery effort for the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne) in the South East. Delivered in partnership with Birdlife

Australia, Zoos SA, and the Limestone Coast Landscape Board the project underpins general recovery activities range-wide and undertakes a significant revegetation and broad scale weed control effort to protect and restore feeding and nesting habitat and associated species across the range of the cockatoo.

In 2021-22 the project undertook 400 hectares of weed control in stringybark habitat, 25 hectares in buloke and 10 hectares of revegetation as well as delivering a range of planning, monitoring and engagement activities. The project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board through funding from the Australian Government National Landcare Program.

The South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo recovery plan was reviewed over the last 12 months and both this project and the Limestone Coast Paddock Tree Project align very strongly with the priorities of the plan which will target even greater restoration of critical habitat in the cockatoos range over the coming years as a matter of urgency.

Vicki-Jo Russell – Manager, Revegetation Services

Vicki-Jo Russell – Manager, Revegetation Services

Image: Luke Leddy

Our projects PADDOCK TREE PROJECT

Paddock trees define the natural beauty of the Mount Lofty Ranges and support its unique wildlife.

In 2022, we have seen over 7,500 paddock trees planted across 16 properties from Harrogate and Brukunga moving east to Tungkillo and Rockleigh. We’ve worked across thousands of hectares of land for this unique model of conservation, creating a continuous band of habitat.

By planting scattered trees at a large scale in areas where we know declining woodland birds are present we hope to curb the current trend towards extinction and maintain habitat for these precious species into the future. Target bird species are Brown treecreeper, Chestnut-rumped hornbill, Diamond firetail, Hooded robin, Jacky winter, Restless flycatcher and Southern whiteface.

Many older trees have been lost through old age and fire, and others are starting to die. Grazing pressure means the next generation of paddock trees cannot make it to maturity which is why this intervention is so important.

In order to track the progress and impact of our work over time, we record bird and vegetation data and submit it to the Biodiversity Database of South Australia. We also record all the trees we plant in a geo-database so we know their locations and can monitor their survival into the future.

We are partnering with the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board to deliver this work, with Bushfire Recovery funding from the state and federal governments.

Stuart Gonda – Coordinator, Paddock Tree Project

Our projects

REGENERATE

In its fifth year, Regenerate continues to introduce people to nature in a safe and easily accessible way. Promoted to people who are concerned about their mental health and wellbeing, for a second year we targeted city dwellers, especially international students and people over 55 years, through funding from the City of Adelaide.

Regular feedback suggests the popularity of the project is due to the variety of nature activities offered, combined with contributing to positive environmental outcomes. An unforeseen outcome is the provision of alternative activities for our existing volunteers — activities are for only three hours and this can suit changing commitments, capabilities and lifestyles of participants.

Each Regenerate in the Adelaide Park Lands activity starts with gentle bushcare in a Bush For Life Park Land site and is followed by a nature walk with a more specialised activity. Visits to explore the remnant vegetation at the historic West Terrace Cemetery, bird watching at the new Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi wetlands, nature journaling or history

tours have encouraged people to venture out and learn more about our environment in ways they may not have considered before. As such, given the diversity of the project, we have both regular participants and people who book for specific activities that interest them at times that suit.

The program has welcomed 12 participants on the seven activities this year, many of them now regulars.

Tricia Curtis – Operations Manager, Volunteers

Our projects REVITALISING PRIVATE CONSERVATION IN SA

Revitalising Private Conservation in SA continues to lead the way with supporting and building the Heritage Agreement community. Trees For Life is working alongside Nature Foundation, Livestock SA, Nature Conservation Society of South Australia and Conservation SA to deliver this program.

Since the beginning, there’s been three grant rounds to support Heritage Agreement landholders. In 2021-22, the third round of grants (small grants) supported 42 Heritage Agreement projects focusing on a range of management issues, such as feral animal control, grazing protection, internal fencing and managing public access. The small grants also supported the development of management plans and community knowledge on building events.

Revitalising Private Conservation in SA was nationally recognised, with two presentations at the Australian Land Conservation Alliance 2022 Private Land Conservation Conference. These showcased the benefits from the partnership. The program also received an Honourable Mention in the 2022 Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award.

The two-year pilot phase for the Revitalising Private Conservation in SA program is now complete. Key lessons, data and recommendations are being provided for the development of the next phase.

Rebecca O’Leary – Outreach Officer

Our projects

STEPPING STONES INTO NATURE

The fourth year of Stepping Stones into Nature in Murray Bridge again engaged people from culturally diverse backgrounds in nature activities, providing opportunities to feel comfortable with their new natural surroundings and confident to learn more.

The Migrant Resource Centre community bush garden, with local native species planted by participants over the past four years, continues to provide a common ground for people from all cultures to socially gather and explore nature in their own backyard.

First Nations Cultural Tours were a highlight for the participants this year, creating stronger connections to Country for all. Participants walked through the Pangarinda Arboretum with Ngarrindjeri woman Shirley Hartman, where she shared her knowledge of traditional Ngarrindjeri food and medicine plants. Through their conversations, some participants discovered that the Ngarrindjeri creation story has many similarities to their own creation stories. Equally, the Aboriginal Learning on Country team at Monarto also provided great insight into the native plants and wildlife of the Murray Bridge region.

There were 16 Stepping Stones activity days held in 2021-22, with many participants returning to enjoy more than one event, and several new families attending.

With the success of the project over the past four years and our strong partnership with the Migrant Resource Centre, we will now support the centre to deliver the project themselves. This is a truly great outcome for Trees For Life.

Tricia Curtis – Operations Manager, Volunteers

CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE STRATEGY

In both urban and rural areas, nature restoration will underpin the health of communities and ecosystems in a rapidly changing climate. Our Climate Change Resilience Strategy was launched in 2021, to identify priority areas of work that will improve organisational and landscape resilience to climate change impacts.

First Nations partnerships

Through the development of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, Trees For Life has been developing relationships with First Nations to explore opportunities for land management partnerships.

Other projects we have been working on throughout the year include a climate ready provenance guide, and reviewing our earliest direct seeding sites to assess their vegetation cover and identify birds that are using the vegetation.

Ecosystem health in Mount Lofty Ranges Trees For Life, in partnership with Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network at The University of Adelaide, has led a steering group which aims to identify the cause of dieback in three stringybark species in the Mount Lofty Ranges, from Spring Gully in the north to the Southern Fleurieu. Our research to date shows that while climate change is heavily implicated, particularly in the north, there are a complex range of interacting factors involved in this process. Further research is required to understand the drivers and design management approaches.

Climate-proofing revegetation As described in the Direct Seeding report, a major focus of work over 2020-21 has been investigating new direct seeding methods and machinery that aim to use less seed and create more complex vegetation structures, rather than delivering a continuous row of seed. The design and building of new seed boxes was completed in time for seeding at three trial sites over winter 2022. We look forward to reporting the results of these initial trials.

South Australia is already facing less rainfall in critical months, more unpredictable seasons and shortages of seed for revegetation. We must act now to prepare for even more challenging climatic conditions.

Blending the best of modern science with traditional knowledge, testing new approaches and working with partners and landholders is essential in our journey towards climate resilience.

Natasha Davis – Chief Executive Officer

BUSHFIRE RECOVERY

Since the widespread bushfires of 2019/2020, Trees For Life has been actively working to support people and landscapes to recover. Recovery from an impact of this scale takes time and we will continue this vital work in the years to come.

3,390 hours contributed to Tasmanian blue gum control efforts by staff and volunteers.

One community workshop about restoring native vegetation post-fire.

Over the last year, some of our work includes:

In addition to on-ground efforts, we have been working to raise awareness of the ongoing need for funding and action to address bushfire recovery.

Nine bushfire recovery planting days to support fire-affected landholders to plant their seedlings, thanks to funding from Ahrens Group, Arbor Day Foundation and FedEx.

Thanks to support from the Wildlife Recovery Fund, 27 landholders from across South Australia were able to order seedlings, guards and stakes at a 50% discount through our Tree Scheme.

181 volunteers involved in bushfire recovery planting days.

Nine Bush Action Team trips to Kangaroo Island to address the devastating impact of invasive Tasmanian blue gums, with bushfire recovery funding from state and federal governments.

Amelia Hurren – Manager, Bush For Life

Recovery from an impact of this scale takes time and we will continue with this vital work in the years to come.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

FLEURIEU PLANTING GROUP

There is nothing more inspiring than working alongside people who are dedicated and generous enough to volunteer their time to help our environment and community. Trees For Life is incredibly lucky to have passionate and hard-working volunteers who contribute to nearly all aspects of our on-ground work — from seed collection and processing through to plant propagation, planting and bush regeneration. Volunteers may contribute hours, days or weeks, often working in tough conditions. The past year has involved many trips to Kangaroo Island with groups of volunteers removing Tasmania blue gum ‘wildlings’ which have invaded the remnant bushland following the Black Summer bushfires. Locals were very grateful for their hard work and commitment.

We’re incredibly grateful to all our volunteers who go above and beyond to restore our landscapes back to health.

The Fleurieu Volunteer Tree Planting Group provides much needed assistance to landholders by planting trees ordered through the Tree Scheme and other sources.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, in 2021-22 we attended three sites and, thanks to help from 34 of our talented volunteers, planted 1,000 trees in 115 hours. That’s over 28 volunteer hours per day! The group enjoyed fabulous lunches provided by the landholders (with all relevant COVID-19 regulations observed, of course).

Our first planting was a revisit to Coriole Vineyards and for our second and third plantings, we returned to a property in Bull Creek. The group has planted for these landholders for two consecutive seasons and, in a great show of appreciation for our hard work, they’re hoping to be involved again in the 2022-23 season.

Bunti Pellen

– Fleurieu Planting Group Coordinator

Your support MARKETING

As we moved through the final six months of our 40th Anniversary in 2021 and into 2022, we’ve taken stock of just how far we’ve travelled since those early days of Trees For Life.

The realisation that, over those decades, we’ve grown almost 40 million trees hit home. It was a powerful reminder that this achievement was only possible because of the love and commitment of so many South Australians. We owe our volunteers, members, donors and supporters a debt of gratitude.

To express our thanks, we commissioned an artwork by Katie from Keast Designs that was installed on our Westwood Nursery fence to be visible to the thousands of people who pass by each day. The colourful panels conveyed a simple and heartfelt message; Thank you SA for Helping us grow. For Habitat. For Trees. For Life.

We emphasised our South Australian identity throughout our marketing and storytelling this year. The instantly recognisable outline of our state serving as a reminder that this is “home”.

Our quarterly ReLeaf magazine is a primary communication channel along with our monthly e-news. Each issue provided us the opportunity to highlight stories that illustrate our commitment to landscape restoration and conservation. Told through our volunteers, program staff and landholders, each story seeks to bring us greater understanding and

appreciation of the environmental challenges we face and the extraordinary people who are working to overcome them.

We explored new and creative ways to promote our activities. We created our “It’s WonderFULL!” campaign to encourage participation in bushcare in the Northern and Yorke council areas. Using artwork to depict the beauty and wonder of our local native bushland was successful in generating interest and attracting new people to take part.

Our weekly Weedy Wednesday and Floral Friday Facebook posts continue to grow in popularity, providing a much loved community forum for information, interaction, storytelling and advice. Social media continues to be the mainstay of our communications, promotion and advertising.

Facebook: 19,213 followers

Instagram: 3,450 followers

LinkedIn: 1,080 followers

‘Going beyond’ is how we are framing the next chapter of our history. Imagining what is possible and striving for that which seems just out of reach.

Maureen McKinnie – Manager, Fundraising & Marketing

Your support

FUNDRAISING

‘Keeping it local’ was the focus of our fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Recognising that the love we share for our South Australian home makes our mission to protect and restore our landscapes possible.

Highlighting the significant challenges we face, as the driest state on the driest inhabited continent on Earth, we appealed for support so we can not only continue what our founders started 40 years ago, but go beyond to seek new ways of tackling the increasing environmental problems.

This year we sought investment in research and development for our Direct Seeding program, securing a grant from the QBE Foundation local grant program to develop and build innovative direct seeding equipment, and raised additional funds from our major donors to undertake direct seeding research projects.

Changes in funding available for our Bush For Life program led to our winter fundraising campaign ‘A Piece of Home’ highlighting the threats to our precious pieces of bushland. The response from our donors was immediate, heartfelt, and generous.

Throughout our campaigns we have noted an upward trend in donation amounts this year — all the more appreciated given the current economic and social pressures.

We were also very fortunate to receive bequests from two of our supporters. These acts of generosity strengthen our resolve to ‘continue their story’ by ensuring we remain a resilient organisation. It would have been an honour to thank them in person, so we continue to invite supporters to inform us of their intentions to leave a Gift in their Will.

Numbers of donors have levelled since the sharp increase we experienced following the 2019-2021 South Australian bushfires. The focus and challenge ahead is to steward our loyal and committed donors, whilst cultivating and growing a new generation of support.

Development of a new regular giving offering is underway with an expected launch in early 2023. Meanwhile, our current Visionary program will continue to raise much needed funds for our programs.

Our new Fundraising Prospectus is providing individuals and business with a suite of opportunities to invest in key programs and projects such as the Trees For Life Seed Bank. We hope that this will build our financial capacity and sustainability for the future, enabling us to go beyond to explore what might be possible for our South Australian home.

Maureen McKinnie – Manager, Fundraising & Marketing

OUR SUPPORTERS, SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

We’re extremely grateful to our partners and sponsors. Their financial support allows us to continue our important work, as does the generosity of organisations and individuals who donate to our appeals, or leave a Gift in their Will.

Perpetual sponsor

CMV Foundation

Sponsors

Ahrens Group

ElectraNet SA Power Networks

SeaLink Alfred James

Earth Greetings

Taking Care of Trees

Robe & Districts

Community Bank

Bush For Life financial partners

Adelaide City Council; Adelaide Hills Council; Adelaide Plains Council; Alexandrina Council; Barossa Council; Carrick Hill; City of Burnside; City of Holdfast Bay; City of Marion; City of Mitcham; City Of Onkaparinga; City of Playford; City of Port Adelaide Enfield; City of Tea Tree Gully; City

of Victor Harbor; Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council; Department for Environment and Water; District Council of Mt Barker; ElectraNet; Light Regional Council; Office for Recreation, Sport & Racing; Rural City of Murray Bridge; SA Water; Town of Gawler; Wakefield Regional Council

Bush For Life supporters

Aboriginal Lands Trust; Australia

Migrant Resource Centre; Catherine House; Common Ground, Elpida House; Flinders University; Housing Choices; TAFE SA

OUR BOARD 2021-2022

Carbon and Trees For Habitat supporters

Whyalla Veterinary Clinic

Statewide

Superannuation Trust

Dick Johnson Racing

BJ Energy

Church Point Ferry Service

First Paige Form 1

Fenwicks Real Estate

AL RU Farm

Feathermark Photography

Welland Wines

Efficientsee

Gama Consulting

Complete Removals

Orbitel

Funding partners

Green Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board

Limestone Coast Landscape Board Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board

Adelaide Hills Council City of Adelaide

Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

Commonwealth Department for Infrastructure and Transport

South Australian Department for Environment and Water

South Australian Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure

The Lewis Foundation

QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd

Thyne Reid

Arbor Day Foundation & FedEx

Perpetual Foundation

Harvey Foundation

Suzanne Elliott Charitable Trust

Nature Conservation Society SA

Nature Foundation

Landcare Australia Ltd

Brighton Lions Club

President Jeanette Gellard Vice President Phil Donaldson Treasurer Janine Lynch Secretary Therese Halili

Ordinary Members Andrew Dolley Dr Stuart Collard Dr John Virtue Ingrid Franssen Michael Cornish Bryce Winter

AUDITED REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR S REPORT ON THE SUMMARY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR TREES FOR LIFE NCORPORATED

The accompanying summary financial statements, which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2022 and the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year then ended are derived from the audited financial report of Trees for Life Incorporated for the year ended 30 June 2022 We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on that financial report in our report dated 29 September 2022. That financial report, and the summary financial statements, do not reflect the effects of events that occurred subsequent to the date of our report on that financial report.

The summary financial statements do not contain a ll the disclosures required by Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission Act 2012. Reading the summary financial statements, therefore, is not a substitute for reading the audited financial report of Trees for Life Incorporated .

The Respons b ity of the Board Members for the Summary Financ al Report

The Board Members of the entity are responsible for the preparation of a summary of the audited financial report

Auditor s Respons b l ties for the Audit of the F nancia Report

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the summary financial statements based on our procedures which were conducted in accordance with Auditing Standard ASA 810 Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements.

Op nion

In our opinion, the summary financial statements derived from the audited financial report of Trees for Life Incorporated for the year ended 30 June 2022 are consistent, in all material respects, with th at audited financial report.

NOT

FOR PROF T ACCOUNTING SPECIALISTS

KESWICK SA 5035

Ian Mostert CPA

R Registered Company Aud tor No 539768

TREES FOR LIFE INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022 2022 $ 2021 $

REVENUE

Subscriptions 131,280 142,471

Fundraising & Donations 540,109 419,850

Sponsorship 116,468 134,185

Fee Income 1,629,212 1,705,202 Grant Income 2,137,385 1,373,714 Sundry Sales 243,900 274,022 Auspice Income 5,400 Total Revenue 4,803,754 4,049,444

OTHER INCOME

Dated: 30 September 2022

Employee Related Expenses 2,966,394 2,806,094 Travel & Vehicle Costs 116,160 92,770 Supplies & Services Expenses 235,578 300,720 Project Expenses 961,579 357,815 Contractor Costs 50,366 57,914 Office Expenses 196,808 190,799 Fundraising & Marketing Expenses 83,637 83,091 Depreciation & Amortisation 113,594 99,672 Other Operating Expenses 55,510 88,973 Auspice expenses 5,400 Total Expenditure 4,785,026 4,077,848 NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 27,207 664,618 Other Comprehensive Income Total Comprehensive Income For The Year 27,207 664,618

TREASURER’S REPORT

STATEMENT OF

It is with immense pride that I present the Trees For Life annual financial report for the year ended 30 June 2022.

Trees For Life total revenue increased by $754,310 or close to 19% from the prior year. This is a direct reflection of the trust and confidence our supporters place in us to deliver the important work of taking action for the land we love.

The Board continue to apply a strategy of maintaining a modest reserve to cover unexpected operational downturns. In conjunction with this the Board actively look at investing modest amounts of reserve funds into projects that innovate current Trees For Life operations.

Increased revenues were mobilised directly into activity in on-ground conservation and restoration projects, resulting in increased employee and project expenses for the year.

Trees For Life continue to successfully weather the storm of finding a mix of funding through the various programs run within the organisation. Whether it be through the generosity of our donors, or the confidence of our partners to continue to engage Trees For Life in delivering leading-edge solutions in landscape restoration and protection in South Australia, we continue to fight the financial battle.

Once again, would like to personally thank the Chief Executive Officer, Natasha Davis and the Administration and Finance team for their continued efforts in financial reporting to the Board and diligence in managing the financials of the organisation. Trees For Life remains a financially resilient organisation with a healthy balance sheet at 30 June 2022.

It is my last year as Treasurer and Director of Trees For Life and I leave with so much pride and admiration for the work that is done by Trees For Life and the people that make it happen. I leave with the confidence that any dollar I put back into this organisation through my future membership or donations will be spent wisely and will make a real impact for the land I love here in South Australia.

Overall, we achieved another positive financial result with a surplus of $27,207 and an increase in cash reserves to $2,950,981.

Janine Lynch – Treasurer