September 2016 releaf

Spring 2016 Issue 139

Get happy by doing bushcare!

Workshops for volunteer growers Threatened flora project begins

Support appreciated

W

elcome to our Spring edition of ReLeaf.

It has been a fantastic winter with plenty of rain across the State. This was great news for the Trees For Life Direct Seeding and Paddock Tree planting teams who have had a very busy couple of months.

I have been CEO for over a year now, and I continue to be overwhelmed by the knowledge and dedication of our loyal supporters and volunteers. It is just amazing what we have been able to achieve together over 35 years.

A very big thank you to landholders, community groups and schools who have stood by us to order native seedlings through the Tree Scheme after the price rise. As we have explained in an earlier edition of ReLeaf and one-on-one conversations, it was an extremely difficult decision to make, but with rising fixed costs and limited external funding it was necessary to ensure we can continue to offer this service across the State.

We are doing a lot of work to revitalise the Tree Scheme because we know revegetation provides so many benefits – vital habitat for native wildlife of course – but also we are increasingly aware of the productivity and social benefits that well designed native revegetation can achieve.

These range from pollination services, helping to manage salinity or erosion, pest control, windbreaks and shelter for animals.

In a climate that is becoming warmer and drier, increasing native vegetation will be even more important. We recognise the impact the price rise has on your bottom line and we will work very hard to ensure we continue to offer the lowest price we can sustain going forward.

I always love to hear from our supporters so feel free to drop me a message anytime at natashad@treesforlife.org.au

Natasha Davis, CEO

All welcome to attend our AGM

T

rees For Life members and supporters are invited to attend our AGM on Thursday October 20.

The meeting will be held at our Brooklyn Park office from 6pm and will feature an address from our CEO and reports on achievements from program managers.

Refreshments will be provided.

Nominations for positions on the Board close 5pm on September 19. Positions available include Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and three ordinary members.

If you believe you have something to offer and are interested in a position please contact our President David Mitchell on (08) 8251 1088 or 0420 514 064.

Please register your attendance by phoning (08) 8406 0500.

Out & about in SA

T

rees For Life will be attending several events in coming weeks.

They include the Riverland Field Days in Monash, Seed Freedom Food Festival, ABC Gardeners Market, Australian Plants Society sale at Wayville and Deep Creek Family Fun Day. We look forward to seeing you there!

Contact us ReLeaf is a production of Trees For Life.

Bushcare events for Major Day Out

Editor: Tania Kearney (ph: 08 8406 0500 or taniak@treesforlife.org.au) Production/Graphic Design: IS Design + Digital Printing: Finsbury Green 100% Recycled

T

rees For Life is again participating in the annual Bushcare’s Major Day Out, with activities planned for midSeptember.

The national event is designed to encourage participation in the restoration and maintenance of our remaining bushland around Australia and will this year be officially held on September 11 as part of Landcare Week.

Our Bush For Life program is holding Come ‘n Try events in Kersbrook on September 15 and Heathfield on September 17.

1

Find us on: The activities will be fun where anyone, young and old can work alongside and learn from experts and experienced volunteers. And you’ll also learn a lot about the local environment!

For more information or to register phone (08) 8406 0500 or email bfl@treesforlife.org.au

Trees For Life Spring 2016 Number 139

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: Hardenbergia violacea by Jim Humphrys.

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…

Sept 13

Threatened plant monitoring @ Goolwa

Sept 13

Social media training

Sept 15

Come ‘n Try bushcare @ Kersbrook (BMDO)

Sept 17

Come ‘n Try bushcare @ Heathfield (BMDO)

Sept 19

Board nominations close

Sept 20

Threatened plant monitoring @ Goolwa

Sept 21

Threatened plant monitoring @ Goolwa

Sept 22

Plant ID Advanced Workshop

Sept 22

Threatened plant monitoring @ Goolwa

Sept 23

Threatened plant monitoring @ Goolwa

A growing body of research backs up what our volunteers say; that volunteering in nature is good for body and mind. If you or someone you know may benefit from a day outdoors in a positive, team environment, Come and Try Bushcare Days are being held during Mental Health Week in October.

There is no obligation to join, just come and give it a go. Phone (08) 8406 0500 or email bfl@treesforlife.org.au to find out more.

Sept 24

Plant ID Advanced Workshop

Sept 26

Intro bush regen w-shop @ TT Gully

Sept 30

Grower registrations close

Oct 6

Intro bush regen w-shop @ Playford

Oct 11

Come ‘n Try bushcare @ Willunga

Oct 13

Social media training

Come and Try Bushcare dates during Mental Health Week

Oct 13

Seed collection w-shop at Blackhill

Oct 13

Come ‘n Try bushcare @ Aldgate

Oct 14

Grower w-shops until Nov 5 (see Page 4)

Thank you E&Y!

Oct 15

Come ‘n Try bushcare @ Highbury

rees For Life would like to thank Ernst & Young for the generous donation of pre-loved quality office furniture.

Lucy from Ernst & Young recently phoned us (and three other local charities) asking if we’d like some of their equipment as they were moving offices and upgrading.

A week later we had taken delivery of dozens of high quality office and meeting room chairs, tables and even an electronic whiteboard!

So thank you again Ernst & Young for your generosity; rest assured they have gone to a good (and appreciative) home!

Oct 20

Trees For Life AGM

Oct 26

Intro bush regen w-shop @ Victor Harbor

Oct 27

Grass ID Advanced Workshop

Oct 28

Social media training

Oct 29

Grass ID Advanced Workshop

Nov 7

Social media training

Nov 13

Distribution depots throughout SA

Nov 26

Social media training

Nov 30

TFL Xmas and recognition drinks

Bushcare volunteers Christine Banks, Stephanie Jarrett and Karen Francis.

Bushcaring makes you happier!

“The bush does good things for the human condition”

T

he Bush For Life program gives volunteers a chance to unwind in a beautiful natural setting and experience the proven health and wellbeing benefits of nature.

A recent BFL survey found that 83% of our volunteer bushcarers experienced improved overall mental wellbeing.

Twenty-six volunteers said bushcaring had helped them manage a mental illness and more than 84% of volunteers said bushcare had helped their physical health. Here are some of our favourite quotes: “... my life is receiving enormous and precious benefits from being a BFL volunteer”, “It is fun!”, “I go home on a ‘high’ every time”.

More than 90% of volunteers said bushcaring gave them a sense of purpose by learning new skills, increasing friendships, connecting to nature and their community.

When asked what volunteers liked most, responses included: “The contribution I make can assist my local bush to regenerate”, “Looking after my local area”, “The company of our fellow bushcarers”, “ Meeting people with same mindset”, “Great people, being outside, constant practical learning”, “It feels good to do something positive for the environment”.

Tues Oct Thurs Oct Sat Oct

T

11 13 15

Willunga Aldgate Highbury

2

Stage 2 of PTP about to start

R

egistrations of interest for Stage 2 of the Paddock Tree Project (PTP) will soon be sought.

An estimated 7800 new paddock trees will be planted across the northern and eastern Mt Lofty Ranges in 2017 with the additional reach down to Strathalbyn for this stage.

Stage 1 of the PTP, run in conjunction with the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, has just been completed with around 4300 trees planted over a 2500ha area.

The scattered trees – including gums, wattles and sheoaks - were planted on private landholder properties and seedlings were protected with a specially design tree guard.

Paddock trees are visually iconic, provide shade and shelter for stock, improve soil condition and invertebrate diversity and also provide critical habitat for a range of declining woodland birds.

To find out more visit the Trees For Life website or email paddocktree@treesforlife.org.au

Saxophone & Clarinet tuition Anthea Mur (B.Mus. B.A. Cert.

Mus. Perf.)

16 years teaching experience Flexible lesson times South Plympton location Phone 0417 832 855

3

Malleefowl habitat creation begins

T

rees For Life is teaming up with landholders in the MonartoFerries McDonald conservation parks region with habitat creation projects to help the local population of Malleefowl.

These iconic Australian birds are in real trouble, their local range is being fragmented and isolated.

Extensive land clearance, climate change, predation by exotic animals and other human impacts has left this population - the only one west of the river in the lower Murray Darling Basin - in perilous balance.

This season direct seeding has been undertaken on three properties; two adjacent Ferries McDonald Conservation Park and the other one adjacent to the Monarto Conservation Park.

26 local species In total 15.5 hectares were direct seeded, with 36 kilometres of rows using 23 local provenance species.

The dominant species associations are Eucalyptus fasciculosa (Pink Gum) woodland, Eucalyptus incrassata (Ridge fruited mallee) and Melaleuca uncinata (Broom bush) woodland with a mix of other species such as Enchylaena tomentosa (Ruby saltbush) which produce berries and form part of the Malleefowl diet.

The work is being funded through the Trees For Habitat program which

Trees For Life Spring 2016 Number 139

More than 15 hectares has been direct seeded on three properties this season in a bid to create habitat for the local Malleefowl population. is supported by individuals and businesses.

Join Trees For Habitat If you’d like to be part of the Trees For Habitat program – whether you’re a landholder in the MonartoFerries McDonald region or want to financially support the work being undertaken, please phone Dennis Hayles on (08) 8406 0500.

Calling all growers!

V

olunteer growers are the backbone of the Tree Scheme, and their past efforts and know-how is already making a huge difference to South Australia’s environment.

If you would like to volunteer for the 2016-17 growing season there is still time to register before it closes September 30.

If you have not grown for us before please look at our brochure on-line for volunteer growers which outlines what you need for successful growing such as direct sunlight in your backyard and enough time to commit for the full growing period.

All registered growers receive a handbook which contains lots of practical advice and there are additional resources on our website to help you on your way.

Grower workshops Growers are also encouraged to attend one of our popular growing workshops. Even if you have grown before, attending a workshop is a great way to refresh your knowledge.

Workshops are practical, informative and a terrific opportunity to meet other like-minded people. This free, two hour session will guide you through the growing process step-bystep.

Growing workshops are available: • Friday October 14, 21, 28 & November 4 at 10am • Saturday (am) October 15, 22, 29 & November 5 at 10am • Saturday (pm) October 15, 22, 29 & November 5 at 1pm • Thursday October 27 at 5.30pm Places are limited and bookings essential on (08) 8406 0500 or info@ treesforlife.org.au.

For more information visit https:// www.treesforlife.org.au/volunteer/ volunteer-grow-native-plants/becomevolunteer-grower

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.

Intro Bush Regeneration workshops (B1) Monday

September 26

Tea Tree Gully

Thursday

October 6

Playford

Wednesday

October 26

Victor Harbor

Thursday

November 17

Karinya

Come and Try Bushcare Days Friday

September 9

Goolwa

Tuesday

September 13

Goolwa

Thursday

September 15

Kersbrook

Saturday

September 17

Heathfield

Tuesday

September 27

Belair

Thursday

September 29

Willunga

Tuesday

October 11

Willunga

Thursday

October 13

Aldgate

See TFL website for more Come and Try Bushcare dates

Introduction to Plant Identification (By Ann Prescott) Thursday

September 22

Stirling

Saturday

September 24

Stirling

Introduction to Grass Identification (By Ann Prescott) Thursday

October 27

Adelaide

Saturday

October 29

Adelaide

Seed Collection Workshop Thursday

October 13

Come to our social media training

D

ates for our social media training sessions (as promoted in the last ReLeaf edition) – have now been finalised.

Participants are welcome to book into more than one session and facilitator Helen Ahrens (www. goodthingsmarketing.com.au) will tailor some sessions to what attendees are most interested in.

Blackhill Conservation Park Wildflower Garden

Training will be held at the Trees For Life office except for Thursday October 13 (evening session) which will be held at an Adelaide Hills venue.

Dates are: • Tuesday September 13 2-4pm • Thursday October 13 6:30-8:30pm • Friday October 28 9:30-11:30am • Monday November 7 2-4pm • Saturday November 26 10-12noon The training is funded through the Office for the Ageing.

4

Positive project for wellbeing

T

rees For Life will this month start a new project – Regenerate – aimed at connecting people with nature to improve mental and physical wellbeing.

The project received funding from the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion’s Fund My Community initiative and will be delivered in partnership with SA Health, Community Living Australia, Neami International, Mental Illness Fellowship SA and Australian Refugee Association.

Regenerate will involve taking small groups of participants to bushland sites for a day of relaxed bush regeneration or tree planting work. Nature immersion, social interaction, learning about local biodiversity, fresh air and sunshine, and making a meaningful contribution are all things that will result in positive wellbeing outcomes.

Revegetation on one of the Melrose properties and below, the TFL Work group.

Catchment care for Melrose region

O

ur TFL Works team and volunteers recently completed revegetation on several properties near Melrose as part of the Four Catchments project. In total, 3600 plants grown by the Trees For Life nursery will eventually be planted

by TFL Works, landholders and the community. The plants are part of a grant to ‘Protect and enhance riparian vegetation in priority catchments of the Southern Flinders and Northern Mount Lofty Ranges’ provided by the Australian Government Biodiversity Fund through the Northern & Yorke Natural Resources Management Board.

Collection day at TS depots

Start From Seed Kits Have you missed out on placing a Tree Scheme order or want to grow a small number of plants? By purchasing a Start From Seed Kit, you still have an opportunity to grow your own seedlings that will be ready for planting next winter. Kits to grow 50 seedlings are priced at $60 and available throughout the year. You can choose two different species per kit. To purchase Start From Seed Kits call or email our office on (08) 8406 0500 or info@treesforlife.org. au.

5

Trees For Life Spring 2016 Number 139

O

ur fantastic network of volunteers will be out in force in November to manage 40 Tree Scheme distribution depots across the State.

Distribution depots are where growers collect their instructions and propagation materials for growing plants.

Most depots will operate on Sunday, November 13.

If you are growing this year, please keep an eye out for more details later this month. And please say a big thank you to your depot manager when you collect your materials.

We could not run the Tree Scheme without them!

Vale Enid Robertson

O The endangered Olearia pannosa ssp pannosa (Silver daisy-bush). Just one of the species that will be targeted under the new community project.

Threatened flora project on Fleurieu

B

ush For Life volunteers will help protect some of our most endangered plant species as part of a new Community Action for Threatened Flora Project.

Under the project, bush regeneration and monitoring of threatened plant populations will be conducted on a range of sites in the Fleurieu Peninsula region, targeting species such as the stunning Olearia pannosa ssp pannosa (Silver daisybush).

Silver daisy-bush is listed as nationally vulnerable with an estimated 1000 individual plants remaining in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin from Goolwa to Strathalbyn and through to Mannum, and as far north as Burra and Telowie.

Local Fleurieu Peninsula residents will be invited to work alongside regular Bush For Life volunteers to learn more about these endangered plants and what can be done to conserve them.

If you’d like to be part of the threatened plant monitoring activities on the following dates please contact Bush For Life on (08) 8406 0500 or email bfl@treesforlife.org.au • Sep 9 Goolwa • Sep 13 Goolwa • Sep 20 Goolwa-Finniss area • Sep 21 Goolwa-Finniss area • Sep 22 Goolwa-Finniss area • Sep 23 Goolwa-Finniss area

Do you have email?

T

rees For Life is increasingly providing updates to its members via email and social media.

Communication via email is simpler, quicker, saves paper, trees and costs to the organisation. We estimate savings of thousands of dollars per year and any savings will support our existing on ground work. If you would prefer to receive communications from Trees For Life through email please contact us on (08) 8406 0500 or info@ treesforlife.org.au.

ne of South Australia’s best botanists and native bush managers, Enid Robertson, died recently on July 10, 2016.

Enid was an excellent botanist, taxonomist, field naturalist, contributor of specimens to the Herbarium and a bush management adviser for many volunteer groups.

She had a great depth and breadth of knowledge and love of the Australian bush, involving and inspiring many hundreds of others in nature conservation.

Her name will always be linked with the heritage listed Watiparinga National Trust Reserve where she pioneered and developed a method for native vegetation management, now known nationally as ‘the minimal disturbance technique’. This is the method still used by Bush For Life volunteers at Trees For Life.

Enid’s philosophy and practice became a major influence on the management of native vegetation by volunteers, Friends Groups, bush management teams, and professionals alike. Her services to the community were many, including editing and writing many books in particular Stop Bushland Weeds, which Bush For Life volunteers rely on. She was awarded the Order of Australia medal, Board member of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and patron for a number of environmental groups. A memorial gathering for Enid will be held at Watiparinga National Trust Reserve in the Spring.

6

TFL Xmas show

W

e would love you to join us for our annual Christmas drinks and volunteer recognition event on Wednesday November 30.

This year’s event will again be held at the Thebarton Community Centre between 5.30-7.30pm. The centre is located on the corner of South Road and Ashwin Parade, with entry to the carpark from South Road.

Our annual event gives TFL Board and staff the chance to thank you for your valuable contribution to the organisation over the past 12 months.

Thank You Trees are presented on the night, so if you know someone who deserves to be recognised, please let us know. It could be your dedicated grower, a caring landholder, bushcare volunteer or anyone else who helps through TFL. To nominate someone please email us at info@treesforlife.org.au (subject heading ‘Thank You Tree Nomination’) with the person’s name, involvement with TFL and why you think they deserve a Thank You Tree. Don’t forget to include your contact details on there as well!

Nominations close 5pm Monday October 31. For more information or to RSVP please email info@treesforlife.org. au or phone (08) 8406 0500. Please also advise of special dietary requirements.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Be a Visionary for the environment

D

o you have a long-term vision for the South Australian landscape?

Would you like to do more, but don’t know how?

Enclosed with this edition of ReLeaf, you will find information about the Trees For Life Visionary program - our regular giving program.

By making a monthly donation to Trees For Life, you help create a regular income stream to plan future environmental care projects.

If you are already part of Visionary, we invite you to consider increasing your regular donation.

If you are interested, please complete and return the form as soon as possible.

Why not encourage family and friends to support our Visionary program by passing this leaflet on?

Thank you for your on-going commitment to protect our native flora and fauna.

Can’t find the right species?

Our Trees For Life nursery grows to order over 285 different indigenous plants, including uncommon, hardto-grow and threatened species. We supply revegetation and conservation projects across South Australia with professionally grown tubestock at a very competitive rate.

Choose from our species list or send us your own requirements for a quote on (08) 8406 0500 or info@treesforlife.org.au.

7

Trees For Life Spring 2016 Number 139

Paris awaits!

The Trees For Life annual lottery is fast approaching. Our lottery not only helps generate valuable income for Trees For Life, but also gives the community a chance to win some great prizes for a small financial contribution.

Tickets are still only $2 each, so a book of 12 tickets costs $24.

First prize is a week’s stay in an apartment in Paris with return airline tickets for two. Ooh là là !

We have a host of prizes from our wide community of supporters including many ethical products.

If you haven’t sold lottery books before and would like to know what is involved, please call our office on 8406 0500 to discuss or email: angelag@treesforlife.org. au

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