June 2016 final

Winter 2016 Issue 138

Discounted seedlings for Pinery fire Great response to paddock trees DS team prepares for busiest year

President’s Message

General News

Environmental wins take money and resources - can you help?

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outh Australia is well known as the driest State in the driest continent. Scientists warn that our future will be even drier and warmer and already weather records continue to be broken.

As all true believers know our precious landscape is suffering and consequently the native flora and fauna suffer as well.

For the past 35 years Trees For Life has made it our mission to find practical solutions to combat the damage being done to our environment. With your support our revegetation and conservation activities are helping restore damaged landscapes in the face of climate change and other threats.

In this edition of ReLeaf you will read about the many positive initiatives – both old and new – that we are delivering at Trees For Life.

Our Bush For Life volunteers, under the careful supervision of specialist staff, continue to restore and nurture a wide variety of natural habitat sites throughout the Mt Lofty Ranges and elsewhere around the State. These volunteers care for over 300 sites on 4000 hectares of remnant bushland - an area larger than five Belair national parks!

Every year hundreds of volunteers grow around half a million seedlings to distribute to South Australian landholders and farmers through our iconic Tree Scheme.

This year we are growing a record 600,000 plants through our Direct Seeding Program, which includes a revegetation project of 550 hectares on Western Eyre Peninsula.

We are also delivering the Paddock Tree Program - replacing 6000 scattered trees that provide crucial habitat for declining bird species in the Mt Lofty Ranges. This is in partnership with the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Board which has provided invaluable support to our Bush For Life Program over many years.

Our role in education and awareness raising is also significant.

We receive hundreds of requests each year to present to schools and other groups and attend community events. This year we are forming a partnership with the Festival of Music which organises primary school choir concerts involving 300 schools across the State.

It takes resources to turn goodwill and hard work into results.

More particularly it takes the commitment and generosity of our financial supporters and our membership. If we are not adequately resourced our capacity to continue delivering these vital conservation, revegetation and education programs is reduced.

We’ve already signalled our intention to increase Tree Scheme prices but resisted any temptation to cut or reduce our programs.

I’m appealing to you all to consider what else you can do to help. Rest assured that your highly valued support is essential to our continuing success.

Whether a member, donor, volunteer, sponsor or in some cases all of the above, we certainly appreciate your various contributions to Trees For Life. But I respectfully ask you to consider what more you could do. Could you encourage someone else to become a member? Have you considered being a financial member or becoming a member of our regular giving program Visionary?

If you’re at all interested in increasing your contribution to this great organisation either visit our webite at http://www.treesforlife.org.au/ or phone (08) 8406 0500 and speak to one of our friendly staff.

David Mitchell

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Trees For Life Winter 2016 Number 138

Grasses the perfect food for butterflies Brett Oakes

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ith the recent rains many native grasses have started germinating and growing in earnest, particularly the Wallaby Grass (Austrodanthonia sp) or as they are now called, Rytidosperma.

While patches of unkempt grass might not excite the average garden enthusiast, these plants are critical food for around five species of Adelaide butterfly.

By planting local native grasses and letting them grow wild and woolly, we can slow the decline of these important and colourful insects.

Call us to find out which native grass species we can offer for your area.

Contact us ReLeaf is a production of Trees For Life.

Editor: Tania Kearney (ph: 08 8406 0500 or taniak@treesforlife.org.au) Production/Graphic Design: IS Design + Digital Printing: Finsbury Green

Find us on: Want to advertise?

Advertising space is now available in ReLeaf. Phone (08) 8406 0500 or email taniak@treesforlife.org.au for advertising rates.

Cover Photo: By Paul Cullen

Trees For Life 5 May Tce, Brooklyn Park 5032 Ph: 8406 0500 Fax: 8406 0599 info@treesforlife.org.au www.treesforlife.org.au

What’s on…

Presenting Trees For Life CEO Natasha Davis with the $50,000 cheque are Viterra Operations General manager Tim Krause and Roseworthy grower and Strategic Site Committee Chair Josh Krieg.

$50,000 donation for Pinery project

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rees For Life has received a $50,000 donation to help grow an estimated 100,000 native seedlings for landholders affected by last year’s Pinery bushfire.

Trees For Life, BlazeAid and the Country Women’s Association all received money as a result of grain donations from South Australian growers and a financial donation from Glencore Grain and Viterra.

In addition to the donation from Glencore Grain and Viterra, National Australia Bank has also contributed towards TFL’s support fund for fireaffected landholders.

Tim Krause, Viterra’s General Manager Operations, said as key participants in the grain industry in South Australia, the company was “acutely aware” of the devastating impact the bushfire had on local communities.

“These communities are where our business operates and where our employees, growers, carriers and domestic customers live and work,” Tim said.

“The company worked with its Strategic Silo Committee Chairs, who represent local growers in the region, and BlazeAid, Trees For Life and Country Women’s Association were identified as providing significant long-term support to growers and communities in the region.”

Trees For Life has been working with councils and other groups to provide bushfire-affected landholders with native seedlings this winter and CEO Natasha Davis said this offer could now be extended into 2017 due to the generous donation.

(Read more on the seedlings offer Page 6).

2016-17 TFL Board nominations open

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f you want to contribute to the future success of Trees For Life, now is the time to consider nominating for a position on our Board.

We are always looking for additional skills and expertise to supplement our existing team. The Board plays an important role in setting the strategic direction for Trees For Life and helping with the development of beneficial relationships and fundraising.

If you believe you have something to offer and you’re interested in a position on the Board, please contact our President David Mitchell on (08) 8251 1088 or 0420 514 064 for a preliminary chat and explanation of what the Board’s looking for.

This year’s AGM will be held on Thursday October 20 when the positions of Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and three ordinary members will be decided. The AGM will be held at the TFL office and all members are welcome. Nominations close 5pm on September 19.

June 13

Volunteer grower registration opens

June 25

Intro bush regen w-shop @ Mitcham

July-Oct

SA Schools Festival of Music Statewide

July 5

Seed collection w-shop Belair National Park

July 9

Intro bush regen w-shop @ Adelaide

July 12

Group seed collection day @ Tanunda

July 18

Intro bush regen w-shop @ Strathalbyn

July 29

TFL inaugural Wills Day

July 29

Schools Tree Day

July 31

National Tree Day

July 31

Tree Scheme landholder orders close

August 2

Intro bush regen w-shop @ Hallett Cove

August 5

Brushcutting Advanced Workshop

August 17

Seed collection w-shop @ BlackHill CP

August 20

Broadleaf Weeds Workshop

August 24

Group seed collection day @ Owen

August 27

Intro bush w-shop @ Norton Summit

Sept 8

Intro bush regen w-shop @ Woodcroft

Sept 19

Board nominations close

Sept 22

Plant ID Advanced Workshop

Sept 24

Plant ID Advanced Workshop

Sept 26

Intro bush regen w-shop @ TT Gully

October 20

Trees For Life AGM

October 27

Grass ID Advanced Workshop

October 29

Grass ID Advanced Workshop

(Come and Try bushcare activities on Page 7). For more information on any of the above events, phone Trees For Life on (08) 8406 0500.

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General News

Grow more for National Tree Day

G TFL helps formulate world-first standards

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he Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia has released a world-first set of standards to improve the practice of environmental repair in Australia.

Trees For Life is one of just 12 partner organisations Australiawide to have been involved in the development of the strategy over the last three years. Trees For Life was approached to be involved because of its extensive experience in delivering on-ground restoration works within SA.

Great need Society for Ecological Restoration Australia Chair, Professor Kingsley Dixon, said the need for ecological restoration in Australia is great.

“With 48% of Australia degraded or de-natured by humans, the toll on human welfare and the natural and biodiversity values of this country are immense – the loss of nature and native vegetation resulting in floods, dust storms engulfing our cities, silting of rivers, pollution of drinking water and species extinctions occurring in ever-increasing numbers,” Professor Dixon said.

“Australia with its unique plants and animals is set to lose irreplaceable nature unless we act now.”

“Restoration sits at the heart of this call to arms to re-wild Australia. If we don’t act now, future generations will not enjoy the plants, animals and landscapes that are the essence of our cultural identity, productive landscapes and liveable environments.”

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To meet this national challenge in restoration, the Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia has produced the first National Standard for restoration practice.

The standards: • Identify the need for ecological restoration and rehabilitation and how these practices seek to transform humanity’s role from agents of degradation to one where we act as rebuilders of indigenous ecosystems.

• Present the principles underpinning restoration philosophies and methods, and outline the steps required to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate a restoration project to increase the likelihood of its success.

• Critically, the Standards will be a fundamental tool to guide government regulators particularly in the mining sector where restoration standards are often overlooked in post-mining restoration.

• Are relevant to a wide spectrum of projects from local community projects to large-scale, well-funded industry or government projects.

• Will raise standards of restoration and rehabilitation practice across all sectors - aiding voluntary as well as regulatory organisations in their efforts to encourage, measure and audit ecologically appropriate environmental repair in all land and water ecosystems of Australia.

The national standards are in the process of being converted to International Standards.

An illustrated web-based version can be found at www.seraustralasia.org.au

Trees For Life Winter 2016 Number 138

row More – Just Add Nature is this year’s theme for National Tree Day, being held on Sunday July 31.

Last year nearly 300,000 people planted 1.2 million trees, shrubs and groundcovers at an estimated 3500 sites throughout Australia. Trees For Life proudly remains one of the biggest contributors to the National Tree Day (NTD) tally through our Tree Scheme Program.

Research shows that spending time in nature is key to growing a healthy mind, body and planet and there’s no better way to embrace these benefits than by taking part in Planet Ark’s iconic 21-year environmental campaign.

Debbie Agnew, NTD Manager, says that joining the much-loved nature campaign is an important way to branch out to your local community.

“For every hour of outdoor recreational activity that Australians engage in, we spend seven hours in front of a screen. This year’s National Tree Day theme is ‘Grow More – Just Add Nature’, which looks at how we can use the power of nature to help us reach our full potential in all aspects of our lives. We all need nature to thrive,” she says.

“Our research shows that Australian children are at risk of growing into an unhappy generation by living an inside lifestyle and being disconnected from nature. But the impacts of just adding nature are significant, including benefits to mental and physical health.”

Log onto Planet Ark’s NTD website http://treeday.planetark.org to find a planting location near you.

National Schools Tree Day will be held Friday July 29.

General News

Great response to PTP: Stage 2 announced!

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rees For Life has received registrations of interest from 170 landholders wanting to participate in our new Paddock Tree Project.

Stage 2 of the project, to be undertaken in 2017, has also been approved by the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board. This next phase will extend further south to the Strathalbyn region.

Paddock Tree Project (PTP) Coordinator Geoff Hodgson said TFL has been “overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of landholders who are keen to establish the next generation of paddock trees on their property”.

“Paddock trees are highly valued and there is a strong desire to maintain these iconic trees in the landscape.”

Property owned by the 170 landholders totals nearly 22,000 hectares, so the PTP team has been busy undertaking the huge task of organising site visits and prioritising the properties that are most suitable.

73 properties shortlisted “Our focus area is the lightlytimbered grazing landscapes of the northern and eastern Mount Lofty Ranges,” Geoff said.

“Properties are being selected for inclusion in the project if they have an extensive, low-input grazing regime in place (preferably sheep), declining bird species occur in the victinity and the landholder is willing to work with Trees For Life to care for and maintain the trees and tree guards.

“So far we have short-listed 73 properties and bird surveys and baseline reconnaissance surveys (collecting information about the land use and vegetation cover, amongst other things) are underway. This data is being used to inform what tree species should be planted where.”

Geoff said Trees For Life is particularly excited about being able to ‘cluster’ many of the properties which have registered interest, resulting in an impact on a broad landscape scale.

“So far we have established clusters of nearby and neighbouring properties

Paddock Tree Project Coordinator Geoff Hodgson, right, discusses the new tree guard design with Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges NRM’s Randall Johnson. in the Bremer Valley, Mt PleasantEden Valley, and Keyneton areas and are well on our way to achieve the target of planting 6000 gums, wattles, sheoaks and acacias across 3000 hectares in the project area this year.

“By the time this article goes to print our newly recruited planting teams together with external contractors will be getting the planting and guarding of these trees underway!”

Geoff said news that the Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board had approved Stage 2 of the project was exciting – and meant we would be looking for more properties to plant scattered paddock trees in 2017.

“While we can’t work with all registered landholders, we are still able to support those who are keen to improve the habitat values on their property through our annual Tree Scheme Program.

“We are also encouraging landholders to make contact with their local natural resource management office or natural resource centre for added support, advice or assistance to achieve your goals for the management of your property.”

For more information about the project phone (08) 8406 0500, or visit the PTP page on the TFL website.

Charity of choice for music festival

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rees For Life has been chosen as the South Australian charity for this year’s 2016 Festival of Music.

The Festival of Music is a schoolbased music education program delivered by the SA Public Primary Schools Music Society and the Department of Education and Child Development. Each year the festival has a theme and this year’s is ‘Sustainability’.

Under the partnership, TFL will supply growing kits for thousands of students and their families, producing a Berry saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata) for their home or school.

TFL will also have a presence at various regional concerts, which run from July to October throughout the State.

Berry saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata) kits will be available for the Festival of Music.

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Tree Scheme

Seasonal conditions led to some disappointing results for Acacia species such as pycnantha, myrtifolia and paradoxa.

Poor season for Acacias Vicki-Jo Russell

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easonal conditions for raising seedlings were less than optimal this year particularly for some Acacia species, such as A. pycnantha, myrtifolia and paradoxa.

Some seedlings never got started while others showed promise at the beginning but then died back.

Growers described symptoms such as stunted growth, browning leaf tips and yellowing leaves followed by leaf loss or drop. We received reports from across all seed zones, regions and growers with varying levels of experience. For some growers this was the first year they had come to the nursery for backup after many years of growing.

We provided additional advice and iron chelates to growers as the growing season unfolded but often to little affect. It is unclear what led to these results and the Tree Scheme will be exploring a number of channels to avoid a repeat next growing season.

The widespread results tend to eliminate a number of factors such as seed quality, grower experience, or local weather conditions however the cooler February temperatures, experienced Statewide, may not have been favourable to these particular species.

The team would like to acknowledge all the growers who experienced disappointing results this year and commend your determination. It was my first backup

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event and I was inspired by how keen volunteer growers were to achieve great results for their landholders.

This year’s results demonstrate all too clearly the important role of backup and we want to recognise the growers who grow for other growers.

With your help most orders were able to be filled with compatible substitute species.

Thank you also landholders for the goodwill and encouragement you expressed to your growers – we know you will get terrific results with the plants now in your care.

TFL tree guards and stakes now available

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or your convenience Trees For Life has tree guards and stakes for you to purchase.

After the success of last year’s product we are again stocking hardwood stakes and corflute welded guards (450mm), which we believe to be easy to construct and most effective against grazing by kangaroos and rabbits.

In addition they are excellent to reuse for subsequent plantings as they are durable and will last up to three seasons.

They are available in bundles of 100 stakes and guards (combined) at $187 per bundle. If you are interested in purchasing please pre-order and pay at the TFL office on (08) 8406 0500 or info@treesforlife.org.au The bundles are available to pick up from the TFL nursery in Brooklyn Park (near the Adelaide Airport).

Trees For Life Winter 2016 Number 138

Vicki-Jo new Tree Scheme Manager

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am very excited to be starting in the new role of Revegetation Services Manager which includes managing the Tree Scheme and Nursery.

It’s impossible to be a SA conservationist and not know about the iconic Tree Scheme, so to be working for the program is a great honour. Not only does the scheme put native plants back into the landscape but it helps lots of South Australians to take action – and have a lot of fun while doing so!

I have been a member of Trees For Life since 2005 and a long time supporter because I love its approach.

Professionally I have been working in the SA eNGO sector since 1994 in a variety of roles for WWF-Australia, Conservation SA, Australian Marine and Coastal Society, and most recently as the Conservation, Corporate Planning and Sustainability Director for Zoos SA. I have also served on a number of regional, State and national boards. I have a passion for SA’s biodiversity and working with the community to look after it.

On a personal note I am married to a keen birder and have two kids (Heath and Acacia) who despite best efforts to ignore their parents’ nature obsession are starting to get the idea.

The Tree Scheme has been going for such a long time but South Australia has never needed it more. I will be keenly seeking strategic and partnership opportunities to grow and strengthen the program over the coming months and would love to hear from others who would like to do the same.

- Vicki-Jo Russell

Tree Scheme

Time to place your seedling order!

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Discounted Tree Scheme orders for fire-affected landholders

Above: Trees For Life’s Mark Hardham, centre, delivers Start From Seed kits to Light Regional Council Environmental Projects Officer Andrew Philpott, left, and Barossa Bushgardens’ Pam Payne. Up to 9000 seedlings are being grown for the Pinery Fire revegetation project.

he Pinery Bushfire burnt out approximately 85,000 hectares of land in the Balaklava-Roseworthy area in South Australia’s mid north.

Sadly there were fatalities as a result of this fire. The fire also destroyed property and had a serious impact on landholders and natural resources in the region.

Trees For Life is proud to be part of the Pinery Bushfire Revegetation Recovery Committee; an alliance of groups working together to provide native plants to landholders in the affected area. With assistance provided by Light Regional Council we contributed to the committee’s free native seedling program, distributing seedlings and future ordering information at an event on June 5 at the Barossa Bushgardens.

mid-May and close on July 31, 2016. To obtain the discount eligible recipients need simply write PINERY FIRE on the top of the order form and then apply a 50% discount to the total amount.

Seedlings, tree guards and stakes all attract the discount and it is important to note that as funds are limited the offer will be applied on a first-come first-served basis. Please note membership is excluded from this offer.

To find out more and receive a copy of the 2016 Tree Scheme order form contact us on (08) 8406 0500 or info@treesforlife.org.au The Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board has established a website with lots of useful information for landholders and community groups working to recover the area at www. naturalresources.sa.gov.au Phone the South Australian Recovery hotline on 1800 302 787 if you have been affected by the fire and need information about broader recovery services and support.

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Support by Viterra Thanks to a large donation from Glencore Grain and Viterra (see Page 2) as well as a grant from the National Australia Bank, Trees For Life is able to offer an additional 50% discount on native plant orders for landholders and groups affected by the Pinery fires through the Tree Scheme.

Landholders who have ordered with us before within affected zones will be notified with their order forms.

Tree Scheme orders for 2017 opened in

utting plants back into the landscape just makes sense and with outcomes for farms, community and local wildlife, everyone benefits.

The Tree Scheme is there to help your project with advice on species selection, low cost seedlings and volunteers waiting to grow your seedlings at home.

Orders are open, so take this opportunity to think about what you need and order before the end of July.

With four new species added to the scheme’s overall list and 10 zones offering a maximum of 46 species there are lots of useful plants to choose from.

This year we introduced more flexibility with ordering options and landholders can purchase two, four, six, eight or 10 boxes.

We have also reformatted the ordering form to make it even easier to identify the right plants for your project.

Order forms and information booklets for all 42 zones are now available online at www.treesforlife.org.au and have been mailed to landholders with a recent order. If you prefer a hard copy please contact us on (08) 8406 0500 or email info@treesforlife.org.au.

Important dates: • Order seedlings: May 16 - July 31 • Volunteer grower registration: June 13 - October 1 • Grower workshops: October-November

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Bush For Life

Safe and effective use of chemicals for bushcare volunteers

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here are situations where using herbicides is the most convenient and effective way to protect the Australian bush from invasion by weeds.

Careful herbicide use underpins the minimal disturbance bush regeneration principles. But what about the risks to the people who handle and apply the chemicals?

For many years Trees For Life and Smith & Georg have jointly presented a workshop on Safe and Effective Use of Chemicals for Bushcare Volunteers.

Designed specifically for bushcare volunteers, the presenters will take you through an entertaining (yes, entertaining!) and informative journey that covers the following topics: • Health effects and safety information about chemicals • Protecting your own safety when using chemicals (safety gear, safe work practices, first aid) • Reading and understanding the information on chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) • Understanding how herbicides work, and how to use them for greatest effect • Novel ways of applying herbicides in bushland situations • Storing and transporting chemicals safely • Disposing of unwanted chemicals and empty chemical containers • Protecting the environment when using chemicals Participants in the workshop receive informative handouts, copies of a herbicide label and SDS, and a ‘statement of attendance’.

Who should attend? This course is suitable for anyone involved in bushcare, either as a volunteer or on your own property.

For more information about Safe and Effective Use of Chemicals for Bushcare Volunteers, or to get a quote to present the workshop for your volunteer group, contact either Trees For Life on (08) 8406 0500; or Smith & Georg on 1800 991 985.

Above: Enjoying the Bush For Life picnic are, from left, Nancy Meyer, Sheila Gunson, Jan Franklin and Sue Wiseman.

Left: Glenyss Steedman chats with Ann Prescott. Below left: Deb Callison, Liz Woodham and Anne Kirk.

2016 Come & Try Bushcare dates

Picnic launches 2016 bushcare season

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ore than 100 bushcarers met at the Tathungga Bush For Life site in Adelaide on April 6 to enjoy some bushland banter and some grub!

This was our chance to say thank you to all who contribute to the Bush For Life Program and to start the 2016 bushcare season with a bang!

The milder Autumn winter was much appreciated as was the tour of the Victoria Park remnant and revegetation area - run by Liam Crook from Adelaide City Council.

Thurs

June 23

Mt Osmond

Sat

June 25

One Tree Hill

Wed

June 29

Chain of Ponds *BR

Fri

July 1

Yattalunga

Thurs

July 7

Millbrook *BR

Wed

July 13

Lonsdale

Fri

July 15

Upper Sturt

Tues

July 19

Willaston

Thurs

July 21

Cherry Gardens

Sat

July 23

Hallett Cove

Fri

July 29

Aldgate

Tues

Aug 2

Wattle Park

Thurs

Aug 4

Virginia

Wed

Aug 10

Macclesfield

Fri

Aug 12

Wasleys *BR

Thurs

Aug 18

Echunga

Sun

Aug 21

Blackwood

Wed

Aug 24

Willunga

Fri

Aug 26

Aldgate

Tues

Aug 30

Houghton

(*BR = Bushfire Recovery event)

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Trees For Life Winter 2016 Number 138

Bush For Life

TFL and SA Water: working together for healthy biodiversity Peter Watton

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rees For Life and SA Water have a long history of working together to protect the unique biodiversity values on SA Water land through the Bush For Life Program.

The partnership has resulted in huge gains for biodiversity being achieved through our minimum disturbance bush regeneration activities.

The first ‘bushcare’ site was established in the Barossa Reservoir Reserve in 1998, and the number of sites on SA Water land soon expanded to 12, extending from Barossa in the north to Myponga in the south and east to Littlehampton.

Expanding partnership In 2003, the partnership expanded to include funding for Bush Management Days (BMDs) which are based on our successful Bush Action Team (BAT) Program but on a smaller scale.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising the partnership between TFL’s Bush For Life Program and SA Water was signed in 2011, covering a five year period up to June 30, 2016. Preparation of a new MoU is well advanced and likely to have been signed as this issue of ReLeaf goes to press.

“Volunteer effort on SA Water sites has increased from around 1000 hours in 2004 to around 2500 hours in 2014.”

There are currently three Bush For Life sites in each of Millbrook and Mount Bold Reservoir reserves, as well as sites in the metropolitan reservoirs at Hope Valley and Happy Valley.

SA Water supports 50 BMDs each year, with between two and five volunteers attending a full day activity supported by one BFL field officer.

Volunteer effort on SA Water sites has increased from around 1000 hours in 2004 to around 2500 hours in 2014, which is achieving significant outcomes for biodiversity conservation.

With most of the BFL sites on SA Water land being in areas that are

Clockwise from top: On a Bush Management Day are staff and volunteers Lucas Quinn, Kym Smith, Alan Dandie, Sue Lefebvre, Mick Abberley, Sheila Gunson, Michelle Garner and Reg Clarke; volunteers Graeme Brettig and Ron Telford; White Spider-orchid (Caladenia rigida). closed to the public, we are fortunate to be able to work in these special spots, which are usually part of much larger areas of native vegetation and often contain threatened species and vegetation communities.

SA Water values the input by volunteers and recognises that these activities help maintain its reserves as healthy functioning ecosystems that assist in the protection of water quality.

In turn, TFL greatly values the ongoing support from SA Water and both organisations look forward

to the next stage of this important partnership.

If you would like to get involved in any of the planned activities on SA Water BFL sites, either on a regular or one-off basis, contact us on (08) 8406 0500 or BFL@treesforlife.org.au (A Come & Try Bushcare day will be held on Thursday July 7 at Millbrook Reservoir.

Bookings essential).

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TFL Works

Works team makes huge difference to Meningie sites

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eningie has been a second home for members of the Trees For Life Works contracting team over recent months.

The TFL Works team has been contracted to undertake maintenance works on three sites in the Coorong Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) region, working closely with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources’ (DEWNR) CLLMM Vegetation Program and Coorong District Council.

The CLLMM Recovery Project has been delivering the vegetation program in the region since 2009.

In carrying out this massive project - funded by Federal and SA governments - TFL Works has undertaken ongoing monitoring and maintenance of three sites including the Meningie Pine Removal Site, Meningie Cemetery and Meningie Lookout. TFL Works has helped with woody weed control and revegetation maintenance to improve the success of plantings.

The Meningie Pine site was originally dominated by Aleppo Pines in 2012 and once they were removed, some initial planting of native species done on the site became overtaken by Perennial Veldt Grass. The overstorey now consists of Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia), Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) and Southern Cypress-pine (Callitris gracilis).

In 2014 the TFL Works team was awarded the contract to undertake identification of natural regeneration and remnant vegetation and site maintenance. Intense weed control of species such as Golden Wreath Wattle (Acacia saligna), Gazania, Perennial Veldt Grass & Bridal Creeper has led to the sites now looking great.

The team has been impressed by the amount of natural regeneration on the site in the past two years including the reappearance of one species – Coast Bitter-bush (Adriana quadripartita) – which hasn’t been seen in the area for many years.

The Meningie Lookout and Cemetery sites are both dominated

by E. diversifolia. They also had Aleppo Pines removed, with revegetation

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Before

After

Before

After

work carried out in areas adjacent to remnant bushland. The TFL Works team has since controlled weeds including African Boxthorn, Coastal Tea-tree, Olives, Golden Wreath Wattle and spot spraying was done at both sites on broadleaf weeds. Revegetation across the sites has been on-going.

Work on all three sites is coming to an end for 2015-16, but hopefully there will be some follow-up visits scheduled to continue to improve the quality of this unique bushland in Meningie. If you are driving past Meningie at some stage, you might like to make a detour and check out these areas of important vegetation!

Trees For Life Winter 2016 Number 138

Above: Before and after photographs of work undertaken on the Meningie Pine, Lookout and Cemetery sites. Intensive weed control of species such as Golden Wreath Wattle, Perennial Veldt Grass and African Boxthorn has helped revegetation and natural regeneration on all sites.

Direct Seeding

DS team prepares for tough conditions in busiest year Dennis Hayles

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he Trees For Life Direct Seeding team is gearing up for its biggest year ever.

Several major projects are being undertaken across the State as a result of our long history of successful direct seeding outcomes and an ongoing drive to innovate equipment and techniques.

For the first time, the team will work on Eyre Peninsula undertaking 550 hectares of direct seeding (1100km of seeded rows) as a service provider to Landcare Australia which successfully tendered to the Federal Government’s 20 Million Trees Program. This work will take place in the Dakalanta Sanctuary.

Another 20 Million Trees project at Banrock Station in the Riverland this year will see 120 hectares seeded on floodplains and higher mallee community associations.

River Murray Forest finale A decade-long relationship with the State Government’s River Murray Forest Program will see the final instalment of 200 hectares of direct seeding at Noora Basin, east of Loxton, along with Lowan and Ettrick conservation parks east of Mannum and Black Hill Conservation Park.

And to top it all off, works for the Southern Yorke Peninsula Conservation Action Planning (SYP CAP) Biodiversity Grants project will continue around the foot of Yorke Peninsula on multiple properties.

To deal with this influx of work a new employee, Alex Mason, has come on board to join the team, and together we have been busy fabricating a brand new direct seeding machine and modifying the existing equipment to cope with not only the quantity of work but also the extremely rough terrain of some of the sites.

Dakalanta Sanctuary (spanning 13,607ha), owned by Australian Wildlife Conservancy on Eyre Peninsula, is predominantly shallow calcareous soil with extensive surface reefs of limestone. For this landscape our existing direct seeding machines employing a disc solid mounted to the

frame are vulnerable to mechanical failure. Attempting to carry out hundreds of kilometres of seeding in this type of country would almost inevitably lead to multiple equipment failures with the machines constantly smashing against the solid limestone.

Machine development To counter this we have spent many hours over the last three months developing a spring return disc and improved springing seed delivery tynes that will move back and forth to dissipate the constant shock loading impact of the unforgiving surface.

Working from experience in tough conditions over many years and seeing first-hand seeding machines literally falling apart, ideas have become prototypes and prototypes reality. Components were designed and fabricated, fitted, tacked in place and tested. Many adjustments have been made and we are now in the

Clockwise from top left: David Hein and Landcare Australia’s James Walsh discuss the seeding challenges at Dakalanta; limestone scattered through paddocks; catastrophic failure during a seeding job on calcareous soil near Tailem Bend; David working on the independently sprung seed delivery system and attaching the springing disc and seed delivery tyne to the newly constructed frame.

final stages before implementing the ultimate and decisive test - real field conditions.

We will now have two tractor mounted direct seeding machines than can be equipped with interchangeable ‘V’ blades for sandy soils or springing discs for heavierrocky conditions, a 4WD-towed springing disc machine and a quadtowed disc machine.

We are confident that with the enhanced robustness of our equipment and increased capacity, we are ready to tackle even the toughest of conditions in large scale land restoration in the SA landscape.

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For Members

Sad farewell to Lyn

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rees For Life sadly lost one its most passionate bushcarers, Lyn Bartlett, recently.

Bush For Life Regional Coordinator Angela Cullen said Lyn became a volunteer around 15 years ago. Her love for the bush led to her adopting Survey Hill at Prospect Hill and Macclesfield Quarry.

“Looking after the bush was important to her. She was always supported by her dear friends Trevor and Anne Waterman and of course by (Lyn’s husband) Mike,” Angela said.

Lyn’s love of the environment was equalled by her love of art. In 2011 Lyn published ‘Lyn’s Journal’ – a selection of beautiful drawings she produced from field journals throughout the Adelaide Hills during a 20-year period.

Trees For Life was privileged that Lyn decided to officially launch her book at our 30th birthday; with part proceeds also coming to our organisation.

“Lyn stood out to me. I loved it when she shared her discoveries.

She expressed such a cute childlike excitement in the bushland. You couldn’t walk quickly through the bush with Lyn. She noticed all the little things. She walked slowly.

She observed. She cherished. And she advocated!

“She’s left her mark on the bush.

She’s left a part of herself in the bush.

So each time I visit these places I will be reminded of her. I will be reminded not to take life for granted and I will be inspired,” Angela said.

Lyn will be sadly missed by us all.

Special condolences to her family.

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Trees For Life CEO Natasha Davis, left, and Fundraising and Marketing Manager Angela Gordon, far right, catch up with Richard and Beth Wreford at the donors’ morning tea.

Thank you morning tea at May Terrace

A

s many of you will know, our work at Trees For Life would not be possible without the individual donors who support us.

As such, we felt it was important to hold a morning tea to show some of our major donors how important they are to us.

Fifteen of our supporters enjoyed a morning tea baked, prepared and served by our staff in the Trees For Life hall in March. They were treated to presentations on each of our key program areas: Bush For Life, Tree Scheme & Direct Seeding. It was a good chance for staff to meet some of the donors who make our work possible.

CEO Natasha Davis held a Q&A session to answer any queries and guests were invited on a fascinating tour of the Trees For Life Seedbank by Bruce Smith.

We are fortunate to be supported by such a wonderful community of people; thank you all for helping us make a difference.

Trees For Life Winter 2016 Number 138

Want to learn social media?

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rees For Life has received a grant from Office for the Ageing - SA Health to run a series of social media workshops for our supporters.

Dates have yet to be announced but please let us know if you are interested in learning about Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or the internet by registering your interest on (08) 8406 0500 or info@treesforlife.org.au All sessions will be free of charge.

New phone system

W

e have a new phone system!

A big thanks to everyone who contributed to our Christmas appeal and special thanks to David Greenhalf for sourcing a great secondhand system!

For Members

New grasslands workshop planned

A

two-day Grass ID and Management Workshop for natural resources management professionals will be held in October.

The workshop will target professionals working in an on-ground role involving the management of native grasslands.

Presenters are Ann Prescott and Peter Watton. Cost is $690 per person (ex-GST) or $640 per person if two or more people are from the same organisation. Lunch will be provided.

Phone Trees For Life on (08) 8406 0500 to register your interest.

Trees For Life workshops

I

f 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 Regeneration Workshop. Phone (08) 8406 0500 to register for workshops.

Introductory bush regeneration workshops (B1) Saturday

June 25

Mitcham

Saturday

July 9

Adelaide

Monday

July 18

Strathalbyn

Tuesday

August 2

Hallett Cove

Saturday

August 27

Norton Summit

Thursday

September 8

Woodcroft

Monday

September 26

Tea Tree Gully

Thursday

October 6

Playford

Wednesday

October 26

Victor Harbor

(Bush Action Team activities on Page 7). For more information on any of the above events, phone Trees For Life on (08) 8406 0500.

Seed collection workshops (SC1) Tuesday

July 5

Belair National Park

Wednesday

August 17

BlackHill CP

The Blackhill meeting site will be in the Wildflower Garden at the eastern end of Addison Avenue, Athelstone. Workshops run from 9am until 3.30pm.

For more information phone Seedbank Manager Bruce Smith on (08) 8406 0500.

Group seed collection days (SD1) Nursery Officer Brett Oakes works with students at the University of SA.

TFL out and about

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rees For Life has recently been out on educational visits.

Nursery officer Brett Oakes helped the Sturt Street Community School Vacation Care plant South Australian natives in forgotten areas of the land-locked Adelaide CBD primary school. Brett also instructed local and international students at the University of South Australia on the benefits of planting local species in its rooftop community garden. This concrete precinct was previously a barren thoroughfare between buildings but has now been put to productive use. Students are growing plants and vegetables to use in cooking classes and were especially interested in the edible native plants supplied such as native lemon grass, mint and pigface.

Tuesday

July 12

Tanunda

Wednesday

August 24

Owen

For Tanunda, meet at 9am near the corner of the main road (Murray Street) and Basedow Street. For Owen, meet at 9am near the corner of Owen Road (or Railway Terrace) and Main Street. Car pooling will be arranged for group seed collection days, returning to Adelaide shortly after 5pm.

Help plant trees on the Fleurieu

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he Fleurieu Tree Planting Group is looking for volunteers to help this winter.

If you love working in the great outdoors and want to do something extremely positive for the South Australian environment, help out at one of the planting events.

The group provides a vital service for landholders who may otherwise not be able to revegetate their property.

There will be approximately 10 plantings this winter, generally

every Sunday until September, in any weather. The plantings run from 10am to 12 noon-1pm, followed by a delicious luncheon provided by the landholder. It is a great opportunity to see different locations you wouldn’t normally have access to and meet like-minded people.

Much satisfaction can be gained from being a part of something so positive and many bonds of friendship are formed.

If you’d like more information contact Volunteer Planting Coordinator Bunti Pellen on (08) 7329 2889 or 042 901 6335 or email bunti@adam.com.au (Please don’t phone after 7pm Sunday-Thursday)

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Sponsors & Supporters

TFL part of powerline consultation group

O

ver the next few years, South Australians will start to see the benefit of improvements to approaches to managing trees around powerlines.

SA Power Networks has undertaken detailed consultation with the community and local government in the past three years, trying to balance the need to maintain safe clearances while meeting community expectations on how urban and rural trees are managed. Trees For Life has been one of the key organisations involved in the consultation process.

In South Australia, a significant number of inappropriate trees have been planted or grow near, through or over powerlines.

“Tree trimming has been a vexed issue for us as we have to meet very specific legislated clearance requirements established after the Ash Wednesday bushfires ...”

Up to 40 per cent of power outages can be attributed to interaction between powerlines and vegetation, which also has a significant role to play in the potential for fire starts in bushfire prone areas.

Consequently, SA Power Networks is required to undertake vegetation clearance to ensure community safety and the delivery of a reliable electricity supply to customers.

“Tree trimming has been a vexed issue for us as we have to meet very specific legislated clearance requirements established after the Ash Wednesday bushfires that are about bushfire risk mitigation, safety and reliability, while trying to accommodate an increasing community desire to protect trees and their visual amenity,” said Alex Lewis, Stakeholder Engagement Lead, for SA Power Networks.

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“The reality is we touch a small proportion of SA trees, but they are often highly visible and the cutting requirements established by the legislation work against achieving the best aesthetic outcomes.”

Sustainable approach “So our focus has been on developing a long-term plan that shifts the focus from a one size fits all approach of vegetation trimming to a sustainable and cost-effective vegetation management approach undertaken in consultation with local communities through their councils.”

This approach includes targeted tree removal and replacement, an updated appropriate species list, a protocol for vegetation management near powerlines, the provision of more community education and information, including appropriate species to plant near powerlines, and

Trees For Life Winter 2016 Number 138

working more collaboratively with councils and stakeholders to deliver improved outcomes.

Alex said three years ago SA Power Networks established a Working Group with the Local Government Association (LGA) and a number of representative councils and an Independent Reference Group to provide ongoing advice and input into key strategic initiatives.

Trees For Life is one of the organisations who actively participate on the Reference Group.

“We’ve been thrilled with the positive involvement of a range of stakeholders as we have consulted on the opportunities for change,” Alex said.

“We’ve been able to develop a number of very realistic and grounded proposals to improve what we do. I think also, it has helped many stakeholders understand the limitations and issues we have, including a regulatory regime that is focused purely on cost efficiency and meeting clearance requirements that are not designed to be aesthetic,” Alex said.

Sponsor help

As the need for statewide revegetation increases, Trees For Life (TFL) is looking to increase sponsorship across our programs. If you know a decision-maker, why not have a conversation about TFL and why you support us? Support can be financial or in-kind.

Please encourage them to contact our office on (08) 8406 0500 for a confidential chat.

Service Directory

Trees For Life Trees For Life, 5 May Tce, Brooklyn Park 5032 Ph: (08) 8406 0500 Fax: (08) 8406 0599 info@treesforlife.org.au www.treesforlife.org.au

Trees For Life Board President: David Mitchell Treasurer: Hanne Damgaard Board Members: David Grybowski, Meera Verma, Sarah Van Maarseveen, Jim Humphrys, Jess Hardy, Fiona Tillmann, Morgan Muirhead and Andy Lowe

Trees For Life Contacts Chief Executive Officer: Natasha Davis Reveg Services Manager: Vicki-Jo Russell Bush For Life Manager: Amelia Hurren Fundraising + Marketing: Angela Gordon Direct Seeding Manager: David Hein TFL Works Manager: Matthew Endacott Office Manager: Julie Holloway TFL Carbon Manager: Dennis Hayles Seedbank Manager: Bruce Smith TFL Nursery: Graham Greaves, Brett Oakes

Trees For Life Rural Gawler: Sylvia Nieuwenhuizen 8406 8419 Noarlunga: Graham Greaves 8386 1018 Willunga: Saskia Gerhardy 0412 135 698; Paul Rosser 8557 7483 Mt Gambier: Briony Schleuniger 8724 9759 Mt Pleasant: Ruth Charlesworth 8524 6661 Clare: Dean Schubert 8843 4317 Strathalbyn: Jo & Sue Scheiffers 7501 6006

Trees For Life Works professional services For government, business and private landholders: • Bushland management • Fuel reduction control • Roadside vegetation management • Woody weed control • Bulk seed collection • Revegetation and bushland buffering • Tubestock planting • Tubestock grown to order • Direct seeding using locally collected seed • Site visits and land management advice Call TFL on (08) 8406 0500 to arrange a quote.

Inaugural Wills day: join us!

Making a Will - a legal document - is the only way you can ensure your assets will be distributed according to your wishes when you die. Studies show that at least 45% of Australians do not have a valid Will. We have decided to partner with Johnston Withers www.johnstonwithers. com.au to offer our members and supporters the chance to create a Will for half the usual price.

Date: July 29, 2016 Location: TFL office, 5 May Tce, Brooklyn Park Time: 10am-3pm (bookings essential on 8406 0500) Cost: $200 + GST Appointment with Senior Lawyer Emma Wilkinson

Leave a bequest to Trees For Life

B

y remembering Trees For Life in your Will, you will be joining a unique group of people who have committed themselves to the future of our natural environment.

Trees For Life bequestors are invited to participate in special events and activities. Our inaugural bequest event is planned for November 2016. Our bequest VIPs are also kept informed with updates from our current campaigns, projects and activities.

Your bequest will reflect your passion for the environment and will serve for generations to come in protecting wildlife habitat and environmental biodiversity. As such, your legacy will endure well into the future.

Leaving Trees For Life a bequest in your Will allows you to make a significant contribution to protect, promote and restore native vegetation across South Australia.

Trees For Life has a proud history of growing more than 32 million native seedlings, collecting 6000kg of seed for propagation, planting 4000kms of rural land with local native seed and funding 700,000 trees and shrubs to offset carbon emissions. You will be ensuring further work of this calibre.

Any bequest you leave to Trees For Life will be held in trust to provide long-term financial stability to deliver on our vision for the restoration of our natural environment through revegetation and conservation.

Every bequest, large or small, makes a difference.

Advising us of your bequest If you are considering leaving a bequest to Trees For Life in your Will, please contact Anthea Mur on (08) 8406 0500 or antheam@treesforlife.org.au to let us know, so we can answer any questions you may have and thank you personally for this most thoughtful gift.

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Frogs of Adelaide

H

i kids. Do you like frogs? Do you think they’re cool and wonderful or slimy and gross?

Whatever you think of frogs, they are a very important part of our environment and we need to protect them and their habitat.

In South Australia we have seven main species of native frogs. They are: • The Common Froglet - found beneath rocks, vegetation and debris near creeks, ponds and wetlands.

• The Brown Tree Frog – found on the ground, in vegetation, under rocks near streams or pools.

• The Banjo Frog – burrows into soil and emerges to feed and breed after rain.

• Spotted Marsh Frog – found in marshy country, creek edges and wetlands.

• The Burrowing Frog – found mostly in open grassland and woodlands.

• Brown Toadlet – rare in SA and considered vulnerable in the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges region. It is found in damp areas with some cover such as logs and stones.

• Southern Bell Frog – vulnerable nationally and in SA. A large ground-dwelling frog that varies in colour from dull olive-brown to bright emerald green.

Do you want to know more about these local frogs and how you can attract more frogs to your garden? Log onto www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au and follow the ‘frog’ links!

You could also draw a frog picture and send it in to us here at Kids Branch and we’ll feature it in our next edition!

Why are frogs important?

F

rogs are an integral part of the food web.

Tadpoles keep waterways clean by feeding on algae. Adult frogs eat large quantities of insects that can transmit fatal illnesses to humans (ie. mosquitoes-malaria).

Frogs also serve as an important food source to a diverse array of predators, including dragonflies, fish, snakes, birds and even monkeys.

Thus, the disappearance of frog populations disturbs an intricate food web, and results in negative impacts that cascade through the ecosystem.

Frogs are considered precise indicators of environmental situation.

The health of frogs is thought to be indicative of the health of the biosphere as a whole.

Frogs have survived for 250 million years, having survived countless ice ages, asteroid crashes, yet now one-third of amphibian species are on the verge of extinction. This should serve as an alarm call to humans that something is drastically wrong in the environment.

Frogs also produce a wide array of skin secretions, which improve human health through their use as pharmaceuticals.

Trees For Life. 5 May Tce, Brooklyn Park, SA, 5032. (08) 8406 0500 www.treesforlife.org.au