ReLeaf Issue no. 124

Visit our new website

AGM in October

Trees For Towns a great success

Record set in Big Weed Front

Spring 2012 Issue 124

Thank you, our unsung heroesBy DAVID MITCHELL, TFL President

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” - Margaret Mead.

It’s not often nowadays that I’m moved to tears but recently I came pretty close. It was the result of reading a letter we’d received at Brooklyn Park from one of our

wonderful volunteers. Due to family circumstances she’s moving from Adelaide to the west coast, relinquishing many of her volunteering activities and at the same time moving away from her close-knit TFL family. Her letter told the story of her love for Trees For Life, its people and what we do for what she describes as our fragile bush. Her story is fundamental to TFL’s story, what makes it so successful and what differentiates us from many other environmental organisations. Please forgive me Thelma Dinnison for using your heartfelt letter to celebrate our amazing volunteers, our unsung heroes.

Thelma started as a volunteer grower but over time developed into a stalwart of the Bush For Life program and a regular participant in long BAT weekends (“exciting but lots of fun”) where she became renowned for her luminescent yellow jump suit, dye-stained wellingtons and knitted beanie. Never short of a point of view and always cheerful, she regaled all and sundry with her dislike for weeds, especially olives, while at the same time working with a ferocity and energy that was awesome in its intensity. Even inch ants couldn’t dampen her enthusiasm for long, despite the need to carry an EpiPen. She and I spent many a tea break discussing the merits and otherwise of various Prime Ministers albeit from opposing sides of the political divide.

But what wonderful friendships Thelma made with staff and fellow volunteers; the TFL family became a large part of her life and in that regard she’s not alone. Early in my presidency I wrote that joining the organisation had been a life-altering, possibly life-saving, experience. I’m sure that’s true for many of our volunteers and provides much of the strength and stability of the organisation. TFL has become a constant for many of us in a world that is forever changing in ways with which many of us are not entirely comfortable.

How to maintain that stability while learning new tricks and adapting to new approaches and technologies is a major challenge. We live in interesting times where the environment seems to have slipped down the political agenda. But the work to be done is immense and increasingly the community is expected to shoulder the burden. TFL and members such as Thelma and hundreds more across South Australia will continue to work in the environmental cause, proving that actions speak louder than words. And that while we may not change the world, we’ll help improve our bit of it.

While on the subject of volunteers I must acknowledge Paul Rosser who was recognised with an OAM in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to the environmental cause. Paul has been a stalwart of the Willunga TFL group for years and a widely experienced environmental crusader and active volunteer; his activities have had a significant impact on the Willunga basin and beyond. Well done, mate.

Contact usReLeaf is a production of Trees For Life.

Editorial/Advertising: Tania Kearney (ph: 8406 0500 or [email protected]) Production/Graphic Design: Image and Substance Printing: Finsbury Green

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

Cover Photo: Bracteantha bracteata by Peter Watton. The butterfly is the Common Brown Heteronympha merope merope.

Trees For Life5 May Tce, Brooklyn Park 5032 Ph: 8406 0500 Fax: 8406 0599 [email protected] www.treesforlife.org.au

What’s on…July-Nov - Nursery tubestock

orders open

Sept 7 - TFL at Royal Adelaide Show

Sept 11 - BAT ‘Come n Try’ @ Cherry Gardens

Sept 15 - BFL Workshop @ Murray Bridge

Sept 19,20 - TFL @ Riverland Field Days

Sept 20 - BFL Advanced Workshop (Plant ID) @ Stirling

Sept 22 - BFL Advanced Workshop (Plant ID) @ Eden Hills (Karinya)

Sept 27 - BAT ‘Come n Try’ @ Montacute

Oct 6 - BFL Workshop @ Willunga

Oct 13 - TFL @ ABC Gardeners Market

Oct 18 - Trees For Life AGM @ Brooklyn Park office

Oct 18 - BFL Workshop @ Mt Barker

Oct 23 - BAT ‘Come n Try’ @ Kangarilla

Oct 25 - BFL Advanced Workshop (Grass ID) @ Brooklyn Park BOOKED OUT

Oct 27 - BFL Advanced Workshop (Grass ID) @ Eden Hills (Karinya) BOOKED OUT

Oct 31 - BAT ‘Come n Try’ @ Cherry Gardens

Nov 6 - BFL Workshop @ Brooklyn Park

Nov 17 - BFL Workshop @ Stirling

Nov 24 - BAT ‘Come n Try’ @ Ashton

Dec 12 - BAT ‘Come n Try’ @ Hillbank

Dec 12 - TFL Members Christmas Party

Dec 19 - BAT/BFL Christmas Picnic

* See Page 6 for Tree Scheme workshop dates and for more details on all workshops, see page 12.

General NewsPresident’s Message

TFL Solar panel performance

0500

1,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,0004,500

Oct10 ‐Jan11

Jan11 ‐Mar11

Apr11 ‐July11

July11 ‐Oct11

Oct11 ‐Jan12

Jan12 ‐Apr12

Apr12 ‐Jul12

Totalto

date

kWh

$ credits

Period kWh $ creditsOct 10 - Jan 11 567 283.5Jan 11 - Mar 11 600 300Apr 11 - July 11 432 216July 11 - Oct 11 584 292Oct 11 - Jan 12 658 329Jan 12 - Apr 12 719 366Apr 12 - Jul 12 380 195Total to date 3,940 1,982

Our thanks to solar panels sponsor, Green Switch.

Solar readings

Grow for us

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer to help grow seedlings for South Australian landholders

or for special environmental projects?The program is very rewarding and

we guide you every step of the way. To register your interest phone (08) 8406 0500.

Come along to our AGM in October

Members are warmly invited to come to the Trees For Life Annual General Meeting

which will take place at the Brooklyn Park office on Thursday, October 18, from 6pm.

Nominations for the following Board positions are now open: Vice President, Treasurer and three Ordinary Member positions.

Nominations close at 5pm on Tuesday, September 18, after which time profiles of all nominees will be posted on the TFL website. Current financial members are eligible to nominate for a position on the Board and to vote.

If you are unable to attend the AGM you can nominate another financial member as your proxy to vote on your behalf. Appointment of a proxy must be in writing and on the official TFL form. The proxy forms will be available on line or from the office seven days before the AGM. The member and their proxy must be registered with TFL not less than 48 hours before the meeting.

A member may act as a proxy for a maximum of three other financial members.

Everyone is invited to attend the AGM which gives people a good chance to meet Board members, staff and other members for a friendly and informative evening. Drinks and light refreshments will be served.

To RSVP phone (08) 8406 0500.

New website for our valued members

Trees For Life has a new website. Please log on and let us know what you think. The web address

is still www.treesforlife.org.au We have put a lot of thought and

time into reorganising the content to make it easier for our members to find what they are looking for. New features include a carbon calculator, a ‘search’ function to help you find the information you need quickly and new clearer subject headings such as ‘Trees’, ‘Bushland’, ‘Carbon’ and ‘Shop’. You will be able to join and renew your membership on line now and even make donations if you wish.

The new website also features a lot more photographs of our members and supporters so why not see if you can find yourself on the site somewhere!

This website is the first stage in improving our communications and interaction with you, our members. Within the next 12 months we will be introducing a member login option with opportunities for our volunteers, for example, to upload activity reports and site photos from home. In future, we hope that you will be able to book into training sessions and rsvp to events through the site as well.

There is still some content to be added so bookmark the site and use it as the useful reference tool we hope it is. Thanks to Fusion for assisting us in designing the navigation and to infoXchange for building the site.

Trees For Life Spring 2012 Number 1241 2

General News

Congratulations to our Trees For Towns participants who have seen 12 months of preparation come to fruition in planting out their native seedlings. Some of the groups are, clockwise from top, Progress Association of Andamooka, Maree and Copley; Minda Inc (with help from Brighton High School students); Normanville Natural Resource Centre; Berri Lions Club and Victor Harbor High School’s Special Ed Unit.

General News

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

Biodiversity boost for Craigburn Farm

For Biodiversity Month this September, we’d like to highlight one of our targeted sites near

a nationally threatened Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodland in the Sturt River catchment.

Craigburn Farm was once part of Minda Farm at Blackwood. It connects and buffers the Sturt Gorge Recreation Park which contains some of the largest, intact remnant communities of threatened Grey Box Grassy Woodland in the Adelaide Region. It is also is a haven for many of the Mount Lofty Ranges declining woodland bird species.

The project looks to systematically restore habitat through: • the management of remnant

vegetation including the removal of woody weeds and management of native grass;

• the establishment of, where possible, pre-European vegetation by planting and direct seeding local indigenous species;

• the management of fire risk through strategic slashing and establishment of fire breaks and trails;

• the removal of internal fencing as well as tackling other management issues including feral animals and erosion.

A target of restoring 180ha is of great significance for Adelaide’s biodiversity. With the current extent of Sturt Gorge around 250ha, the inclusion of Craigburn Farm will equate to a 70 per cent increase for the park.

Joined by Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources staff, Eden Hills and Brahma Lodge primary schools, neighbours and the local community, more than 150 volunteers planted 10,000 local native seedlings (1/3 of these grown by Trees For Life!) this year … improving local biodiversity and amenity in their ‘backyard’.

The Urban Biodiversity Unit’s project officer, Jenny Dick said, “This project intends to restore the landscape through the control of woody weeds, revegetation with local native species and native grassland management.

“This is the fourth year that the Million Trees Program has undertaken community planting events at Craigburn and every year we have built upon previous efforts”.

If you would like to join the Friends of the Urban Forest and find out more information about the Million Trees Program, visit www.milliontrees.sa.gov.au, phone 8278 0600 or email [email protected]

Around 10,000 tubestock were planted at Craigburn Farm in July.

Trees For Towns project delivers plants and pride

This fantastic community project has come to an end but what a wonderful way it was to celebrate

Trees For Life’s 30th birthday! Of the 30 towns that participated in

the project 28 completed the project, which is a huge achievement given the commitment required over many, many months.

About 25,000 seedlings were grown and planted out across the state in winter. 320 people undertook propagation training delivered in the communities by Trees For Life staff led by project coordinator Martina Thompson.

The responses from participating communities were glowing with pride and enthusiasm and rightly so. Each has given a wonderful gift to their home towns – a gift which will keep on giving as the plants grow and prosper, providing shade, amenity and shelter for humans and wildlife alike.

Many of the participating communities have expressed a wish to continue growing natives for their local area so their new found skills will continue to benefit South Australia’s environment.

We were helped in the project logistics by our sponsor TreeMax who managed the delivery of treeguards, stakes and Trees For Towns signs to each town between May and July, and helped out with the cost of materials.

One wonderful feature of the project was the participation of ElectraNet staff who helped communities along the way with boxing up soil, filling tubes and planting out.

ElectraNet’s enthusiasm and support went well beyond their very generous funding of the project. Their whole team took a genuine interest in Trees For Towns and felt genuine pride in its success.

Thank you so much ElectraNet for this gift to Trees For Life and the people of SA.

To see more Trees For Towns photos of participating groups, go to the ‘Projects’ page on our website.

10 For the Garden, 10 For the Bush

Lucky new residents of Blakes Crossing collected their 10 free local native plants this month as

part of Trees For Life’s six year project with Lend Lease to provide a gift of trees to every new home owner.

This year 2000 plants suitable for suburban gardens were grown at our Westwood Nursery for the project Blakes Crossing. Species included wattles, tea trees, grasses, grevilleas, hakeas and native daisies.

Over the life of the project 13,000 local native plants will have been grown for gardens and another 13,000 plants established in nearby cleared and disused farmland. That is a big biodiversity boost for Adelaide’s northern area over coming years!

Native garden plants have been grown by TFL for new Blakes Crossing residents.


Tree Scheme

Wholesale tubestock - Local provenance Professionally grown

The Trees For Life nursery staff grow tubestock orders in forestry tubes for large scale revegetation projects using only local provenance seed,

ensuring high survival rates.

Either order from our local provenance species lists, provide seed you have collected from your local vegetation or speak to us about your

special requirements. Given notice in season, we can collect and grow seed and cuttings to order.

Minimum order 1000 seedlings.

Orders taken between July and November of each year for delivery the following May. Phone 8406 0500 or email [email protected] for

further details.

Tree Scheme

Smiths’ plantings a gift for future generations

Jamie Smith’s family were environmental enthusiasts who instilled in him the need for

the retention and incorporation of vegetation in farming practices.

That was in the early 1980s.His family has since planted an

estimated 20,000 native trees on their 2400ha property.

Jamie, who runs Dema Vista Pty Ltd in Maitland, has been a member of Trees For Life (TFL) since 1998, enabling him to access heavily subsidised native seedlings in order to carry out revegetation projects on his property.

“Over the years the Central Yorke Peninsula region has been extensively cleared and apart from some roadside vegetation, many of our properties have been denuded of any natural vegetation,” Jamie said.

“The small pockets of remnant vegetation were getting weak and not regenerating and we noticed certain species such as Eucalyptus porosa (mallee box) were under threat from the mistletoe parasite. We have used TFL seedlings to specifically reinvigorate these areas of remnant vegetation.”

Seedlings have also been used for windbreaks, shelterbelts and to establish wildlife corridors.

“Our livestock program has benefited enormously from effective

windbreak and shelterbelts. We have also embarked on an extensive saltbush program on our Warulttee property as a natural autumn fodder store for our sheep enterprise,” Jamie said. “The development of wildlife corridors between remnant vegetation has been an added benefit of the windbreak and stock shelter program.”

Apart from saltbush, other species they’ve planted have included Eucalyptus socialis (summer red mallee), Acacia microcarpa (manna wattle), Acacia notabilis (notable wattle) and Melaleuca lanceolata (dryland tea tree).

“The aesthetic appeal and shelter benefits have been enormous; also the

Julianne Pellicci and her daughter Ellie, were some of our volunteer growers for the 2011-12 season and delivered their beautiful seedlings for back-up at the nursery.

Alex and Isabella Smith on their Maitland farm. Photo courtesy Yorke Peninsula Country Times.

Workshops for growers and landholders offered

If you are a new grower, or if you have grown before and would like to improve the quality of your seedlings,

Trees For Life invites you to attend one of our free growers workshops.

We will teach you the essential steps of growing native seedlings the TFL way, including correct tube filling, and transplanting. All workshops, sponsored by SA Power Networks, will be held at the Betty Westwood Nursery in Brooklyn Park and run for about two hours.

New Grow Your Own WorkshopsThe Tree Scheme will also present

a new workshop specifically tailored to meet the needs of landholders who have ordered seedlings through TFL and plan to grow their own in the

coming season. The Grow Your Own Workshop will include regular growers workshop information, but in addition will also provide tips on planting out on properties.

Surrounded by like-minded property owners you will acquire the skills to raise and maintain strong, quality native seedlings from seed and the knowledge to adequately ensure your seedlings thrive once in the ground. The three hour workshop will cover the following topics: growing your own seedlings, what’s involved; practical tasks: tube filling, sowing the seed & transplanting; preparation for planting your own seedlings; site preparation – weed control, ripping etc; safeguarding your seedlings from predators; how to plant.

The workshop is exclusively open to TFL landholders growing their own seedlings, especially those growing for the first time.

health of remnant vegetation areas has improved greatly.”

As well as subsidised seedlings, a special feature of the Tree Scheme Program is that landholders are matched with volunteers – many of whom live in Adelaide – who grow their specific seedlings. More than 30 million seedlings have been raised this way for landholders throughout South Australia, resulting in many great friendships between city and rural families.

“Over the years we have had many different growers and we have had a few visit the property to see the results. It has resulted in some great friendships. One grower that has grown for us for many years is Russell Campbell from Kadina,” Jamie said.

Although now a seasoned hand at revegetation and conservation, Jamie said anyone thinking about heading down the environmental path should do so: “the benefits are real and are a gift to future generations”.

And he does have some advice for those starting out.

“Do your homework on the proposed area (of revegetation) and species selection. Consider the benefits in the longer term, prepare areas a year in advance, get weed control right, use a good planting method, investigate grants to help with fencing, exclude stock from revegetation areas and control vermin and pests.”

If you’re interested in revegetating your property, phone TFL on (08) 8406 0500.

2012 Growers Workshops

If you are a new grower or have grown before and want to improve your skills, book in to one of our growers workshops. Landholders growing their own seedlings can book into the special workshops below.

Fri October 12 10am-12noon

Sat October 13 10am-12noon

Sat October 13 1-3pm




Wed October 24 5.30-7.30pm




Wed October 31 5.30-7.30pm

Fri November 2 10am-12noon

Sat November 3 10am-12noon

Sat November 3 1-3pm

Wed November 7 5.30-7.30pm

Fri November 9 10am-12noon

2012 Grow Your Own WorkshopsFri November 16 10am-1pm

Fri November 23 10am-1pm

For more information or to register for a workshop, phone (08) 8406 0500.

Nice feedback from TFL members

We get some great feedback from volunteers growers and landholders every year,

which helps us in future planning for our members.

Here are some lovely examples we’ve recently received:

“I enjoy the change in our property which, without TFL, would never have eventuated due to costs, on top of fencing.”

“We really appreciate the great work TFL does in helping farmers with revegetation.”

“At times we feel disheartened when we consider the work ahead of us, then we look back at photos of a barren landscape and take new heart and hope.”

“I get to meet interesting people living in country SA and make new friendships.”

“The scale of the scheme is really impressive – great to be part of something that makes such a difference.”

Thank you to all those who send us their feedback … keep up the great work!


Bush For Life Bush For Life

Adoptive bushland ‘parents’ celebrate 20 years

The SA Water bushcare site at Millbrook Reservoir is celebrating 20 years in 2012. The site was

established in 1992 after Trees For Life volunteers Peter and Pat Clark visited the area to collect seed for the Tree Scheme program. They recognised the site as an area of conservation significance and ‘adopted’ it soon after.

The Eucalyptus leucoxylon open woodland site contains more than 200 native species, 75 with Southern Lofty conservation status. The nationally endangered orchid Caladenia rigida grows there, as well as the vulnerable Glycine latrobeana and the state endangered Dianella longifolia.

The Threatened Plant Action Group (TPAG) is just one of several environmental action groups that have been involved with the site; others include Waterwatch, the Fungal Studies Working Group and local schools to release the red-spider mite for gorse control.

Since being officially recognised as a Bush For Life site in 2004, other volunteers have joined the Clarks in their conservation efforts. Ian and Joan Stratford joined 10 years ago “and were only going to stay a year”. Roy Pearce has been active in compiling a bird list which now features more than 100 species.

Malcolm Woolven has also been involved and newcomer Trevor Barnes has been impressed with the work to date - “the transformation of the site is amazing”, he said.

The feel good experience of working in the bush and ongoing learning keeps the team caring and returning to the site.

Gorse removal has been the Millbrook team’s greatest success. Large areas of tall gorse have been systematically removed using bush regeneration methodologies which give the bush time to recover between control. A significant highlight has been the recent removal of the final patches of gorse from around the reservoir.

Peter and Pat Clark would like to thank everyone who has been involved with Millbrook bush site over the last 20 years and acknowledge the strong support of SA Water. Since Peter’s stroke two years ago things may have slowed down a bit, but the team still meets out on site every Thursday and welcomes any newcomers.

For more information on locating a Bush For Life site near you, phone Trees For Life on 8406 0500.

2012 Come & Try bush action events

If you are interested in a group activity through Bush For Life, five more Come & Try Bush Action Team events will be held from September to December. Phone (08) 8406 0500 to book or find out more information.

Thurs September 27 Montacute

Tues October 23 Kangarilla

Wed October 31 Cherry Gardens

Sat November 24 Ashton

Wed December 12 Hillbank

The Millbrook Reservoir site, which contains more than 200 native species.

New Weeds of National Significance

There are over 3000 non-native naturalised plant species in Australia, many of which have

become environmental weeds that invade bushland

Some others cause damage to agriculture, human health or have other undesirable effects, but the rouges gallery also known as ‘Weeds of National Significance’ (WONS), are the worst of the worst.

The first 20 WONS were announced by the Federal Government in early 2000 and were selected after a rigorous weed risk assessment that analysed their invasiveness, impact characteristics, potential and current spread and current impact on primary industry, environment and socioeconomic factors.

In April this year after a process of public nominations (which Trees For Life contributed to) a suite of new species have been declared WONS in addition to the original 20. The newly added species of most interest to South Australian bushcarers and revegetators are: African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum); a suite of Asparagus species (Asparagus aethiopicus, A. africanus, A. asparagoides Western Cape form, A. declinatus, A. plumosus and A. scandens); three Broom species English (Cytisus scoparius), Montpellier (Genista monspessulana) and Flax leaf (Genista linifolia); Opuntoid cacti (Opuntia spp. [excluding O. ficus-indica], Clylindropuntia spp., and Austrocylindropuntia spp.) and Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium).

More informationon these nasties can be found at www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/

Montpellier Broom, an invasive species well known to bushcarers.

The Biggest Weed Front … in the world!

Most Bush For Life activities are invisible; they are about our skilled and dedicated

volunteers quietly working away in bush locations little by little, regenerating bushland.

However, on Sunday August 12, we made a big splash. More than 100 bushcarers gathered at Willunga Hill to create the Biggest Weed Front …ever. Well to tell you the truth we don’t know what the biggest weed front in the world is, but we reckon

it’s ours! The day was a bit of fun with serious undertones to highlight the threat that environmental weeds are to our bushland.

Once they get a foothold, environmental weeds such as Montpellier Broom increase rapidly and wreak havoc on tender understorey species, robbing local fauna of their habitats.

Bush For Life teaches and preaches volunteers to use a strategic approach to weed eradication. Defining and working along weed fronts is one of these strategies - working from the good bush pushing the invading weeds back, leaving the worst part of

infestation until last.One of the challenges for the day

was to make sure a large number of volunteers didn’t turn into a herd of elephants, trampling sensitive bushland in its wake.

Careful access from the formed tracks and some fancy footwork made sure our impact was minimal.

Another challenge was ensuring there was no risk of transferring fungal diseases like Phytophthora on our boots and equipment.

Thanks to all the Bush For Life volunteers and their friends who participated. We’ve really shown the world what we can do!

Volunteer bushcarers take part in Bush For Life’s Biggest Weed Front event at Willunga Hill. Photos courtesy Rob Fairweather (Wild Dog Photographics).


TFL Works/Direct Seeding

Thanks to the Adelaide Convention Centre, 500 seedlings were planted on a property near Mt Compass. The cold and wet conditions didn’t dampen their enthusiasm, with helpers of all ages having fun.

TFL Carbon, Farnill

ACC staff brave cold and wet to plant

Adelaide Convention Centre management, staff and their families braved cold and wet

conditions to help the environment at a corporate planting event in July.

The group planted 500 seedlings of mixed species on a property at Mt Effie, near Mt Compass, which will help create a link from a direct seeding plot to existing native vegetation. The property is owned by a Trees For Life Carbon client. The Adelaide Convention Centre has a strong corporate social responsibility charter and has been involved in special planting events through TFL for four consecutive years.

The newly planted native seedlings link a direct seeding plot to existing native vegetation. The before and after photos, above, show just how much was achieved in a few hours.

Rehabilitation work which has been carried out by TFL Works on the SA Water owned Mt Bold site. Above right shows one of the many broadleaf weed infestations.

Bold plantings rehabilitate site

Trees For Life continues to work closely with SA Water on the rehabilitation of environmental

sites throughout the greater metropolitan area.

Our TFL Works team recently planted 850 seedlings – 800 shrub and ground cover species and 50 canopy species – at the SA Water owned Mt Bold Reservoir site near Kangarilla.

As part of a long-term revegetation strategy, SA Water contractors initially tackled the south facing slope which was being

over-run by blackberry. They sprayed a large amount of blackberry and when it died off, burnt the cane to reduce the biomass.

However this left open patches of soil, enabling broadleaf weed infestations to take hold.

The TFL Works team then brushcut and sprayed the broadleaf weeds and collected seed from local native species in the area, which was subsequently propagated at the TFL Nursery.

It is hoped the recently planted seedlings will eventually help shade out the weed competition, while increasing plant diversity on the degraded site.

A successful year for direct seedingBy DAVID HEIN

Direct Seeding Manager

The 2011-12 financial year proved to be a productive one for the direct seeding program.

A total of 512 kilometres was seeded (just over 200 hectares) with sites in many parts of the state - from Kingston in the South East to Corny Point on Yorke Peninsula and Blanchetown in the Riverland.

This meant many hours in the work ute as most projects involved seed collection trips, spraying trips (pre and post spraying) and direct seeding trips.

Our seed collection team collected over 300 kilograms of native seed which is a great effort.

This amount of seed could not be collected without the generous amount of time donated by our loyal volunteers.

The three-day trips to Southern Yorke Peninsula, while being hard work, were enjoyed by all who went. The days were long but after a couple of refreshments and an early night we were ready for another day of hard work.

Another highlight during the year was securing a $341,300 Federal Government Biodiversity Grant for two properties on Southern Yorke Peninsula (spread over six years).

The grant involves direct seeding 131 hectares of former cropping land and bushcare work in 59 hectares of remnant vegetation on the same properties.

This significant grant secures the future of the direct seeding program.

We are going to need large amounts of seed collected for the SYP project so anyone interested in volunteering to help can phone the office on (08) 8406 0500.

Thanks to everyone who has helped make the direct seeding program a success in the past year.

Grants success for Farnill property

Our wonderful new Farnill Biodiversity Demonstration Site project is off to a great start

with two grants - one from SGIC and the other from the Commonwealth’s Caring for Our Country Community (CfoC) grants program.

The SGIC grant will help fund understorey planting in 2012 to increase biodiversity on the site and supports some bushcare works over the next year. The CfoC grant enables us to develop a comprehensive five year plan for the site, set up monitoring quadrats to measure the effectiveness of our work and to conduct workshops for the community in propagation, seed collection and planting. The grant also supports a bush regeneration training day on site and revegetation activities in 2013.

Friends of FarnillThe Friends group has formed but

membership is still open to anyone interested in contributing to this great project and enjoying being part of the evolution of this wonderful property. The group will work on site once a month and the more who wish to participate the merrier, even if you can only come along occasionally. The Friends will be working under the guidance of TFL’s Angela Cullen and site custodian Olga Farnill.

Planting 2012 Our wonderful sponsors Caramel

Computing held a staff planting day at Farnill last month, followed by a lunch on the site. Staff brought along partners and kids and enjoyed a great day out. The following week, TFL staff and some of the Friends of Farnill also participated in an annual planting day.

Get involved!Why not join the Friends of Farnill?

Call the office if you are interested; we’d love to hear from you. There is lots to do and a variety of jobs so we can find something to suit your interests and temperament.


A planting event on the Calder family’s Strathalbyn property is the perfect example of the Tree Scheme bridging the city-country divide. First time volunteer growers Julian, Jenny and Heather grew 500 seedlings for the Calders and then helped plant them in May. It was an experience greatly appreciated by all (read letter below).

2012 Bush For Life workshops (B1)

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer on one of our Bush For Life sites or would like to learn more about managing your own bushland then come along to an Introductory Bush For Life workshop. Phone 8406 0500 to

register for workshops.

Sat September 15 Murray Bridge

Sat October 6 Willunga

Thurs October 18 Mt Barker

Tues November 6 Brooklyn Park

Sat November 17 Stirling

2012 Advanced BFL workshopsBasic Plant Identification Sep 20 Stirling

Basic Plant Identification Sep 22 Eden Hills (Karinya)

Grass ID + Management Oct 25 Brooklyn Park

Grass ID + Management Oct 27 Eden Hills (Karinya)

2012 seed collection workshops (SC1)Tues October 16 Woorabinda (Stirling)

Wed November 7 Belair

2012 group seed collection days (SD1)Tues October 23 Birdwood

Wed November 14 Echunga

All seed collection days start at 9am. Car pooling will be arranged for the seed collecting days. Phone Bruce Smith on (08) 8406 0500 for more information.

For Members For Members

500 trees!

We are first time growers and we were so excited on Saturday the 19th of May to

join family and friends in making our 500 baby trees comfortable in their new home at Strathalbyn.

We had first made contact with land owners John and Carole Calder in December 2011 and they had willingly accepted our offer of help to get the trees planted on their acreage at Strathalbyn.

Tree planting day seemed to come

around so quickly and the team of 19 willing volunteers, aged from 2 years to 81 years descended on the Strathalbyn property full of energy and enthusiasm. The regular showers throughout the day didn’t deter us and we were soon spread all over the property digging, planting and watering in the eucalypts, acacias and melaleucas.

By 3pm the job was done and we had planted over 500 trees ... thanks Trees For Life for the adventure!From Julian, Jenny and Heather Sporne.

Participants sought for watercourse study

South Australia’s arm of the Environment Protection Authority is interested in hearing from

landholders who are thinking about undertaking revegetation works along creeks.

The authority’s research will focus on how revegetation works improves water quality and to what extent.

Being able to test the water before any work begins will provide them with a great baseline for comparison and allow scientists to investigate issues such as the degree of reduction in sediment runoff and nutrient concentrations.

If you’re interested in being part of this study, phone Tracy Corbin on (08) 8226 3851.

It’s time to celebrate Christmas

It’s been another great year for Trees For Life and we’d like to invite all of our members and volunteers to

help us celebrate at the annual TFL Christmas party.

The party gives the Board and staff at TFL a chance to thank you all for your valuable contribution over the past 12 months. Thank You Tree presentations will also be made.

The party will be held on Wednesday December 12 at the head office in May Terrace, Brooklyn Park, between 5-7pm.

If you’re able to attend please RSVP to (08) 8406 0500 or email [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there!

TFL gets Out & About

Trees For Life has a stall at this year’s Royal Adelaide Show, being held September 7 to 15.

TFL looks forward to being part of the annual Show and takes pride in sponsoring the grains awards to support SA farmers.

This year we’ll be situated in the Farm Expo marquee, just behind the Taste SA and Cellar Door Experience areas. This is a great opportunity for you to talk to staff about our programs, buy some native seedlings or just call in and say hi. Throughout the Show we will also be taking registrations from people wanting to be volunteer growers for our Tree Scheme. The week following the Show, TFL will also be attending the Riverland Field Days on September 19 and 20 and after that, the ABC Gardeners Market (formerly Carpark Capers) on Saturday October 13.

Spectacular photos in 2013 calendar

Despite the tricky theme of our 2013 TFL Calendar – South Australian Flora at Dawn or

Dusk – we’ve had some breath-taking photographs submitted (like the one above, taken by our own Peter Watton). Our talented photographers have captured so many different colours, natural lighting, reflections, mist and dew surrounding our incredible native flora. Our 2013 TFL Calendar will make a great Christmas gift for family and friends – especially those who live overseas and want to see the natural Australia. Please see the insert for images and ordering information. Other TFL Christmas gift ideas can be found in ‘Shop’ on the new TFL website.


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

Find us on:

Perpetual Sponsor

Sponsors and Supporters Service Directory

Trees For Life

Trees For Life, 5 May Tce, Brooklyn Park 5032Ph: (08) 8406 0500 Fax: (08) 8406 [email protected]

Trees For Life Board

President: David MitchellVice President: Michael CainTreasurer: Hanne DamgaardSecretary: Nathan DaniellBoard Members: David Grybowski, Megan Harper, Warren Hilton, Jonathan Lambert, Natasha Davis and Megan Antcliff

Trees For Life Contacts

Chief Executive Officer: Carmel DundonOffice Manager: Lisa AdamsTree Scheme Manager: Maureen RedfernBush For Life Manager: Mark EllisDirect Seeding Manager: David HeinTFL Works Manager: Sam RudolphTFL Carbon: Dennis HaylesSeedbank: Bruce SmithSponsorship: Glenys Perri

Trees For Life Rural

Gawler: Sylvia Nieuwenhuizen 8406 8419Noarlunga: Graham Greaves 8386 1018Willunga: Julie Turner 8556 2401; Paul Rosser 8557 7483Mt Gambier: Briony Schleuniger 8724 9759Mt Pleasant: Ruth Charlesworth 8524 6661Clare: Dean Schubert 8843 4317Strathalbyn: Jo & Sue Scheiffers 8536 8053

Bioactive products good for soil

Trees For Life is pleased to have the support of Bioactive Soil Solutions as an in-kind sponsor.

Our direct seeding team and nursery staff are currently trialling Bactivate products in the field and on some seedlings being propagated in our plant nursery.

According to Bioactive Soil Solutions, research from independent sources have so far indicated positive results in improving soil moisture, reducing salinity, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers, reduction in fungicides and insecticide use.

It also claims to assist in the management of soil and plant disease problems by improving soil balance and root development.

Call 1800 112 779 to discuss using Bactivate on your property.

Earth Greetings new Christmas card pack is inspired by Australian flora and fauna.

Flora, fauna inspired Christmas greetings

The time is fast approaching when we have to start considering sending our Christmas cheer to

friends and relatives.Trees For Life has again teamed

with Earth Greetings to provide you with some beautiful natural Christmas cards.

This year’s boxed Christmas card pack by Earth Greetings is inspired by Australian native bush flora and fauna.

It contains 10 Christmas cards with envelopes, two each of five designs.

The cards are printed carbon neutral in Adelaide using vegetable based inks and 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Order now and get organised for a very earth friendly Christmas!

The RRP of this year’s pack is $13. They are available through TFL website www.treesforlife.org.au or from reception at 5 May Terrace, Brooklyn Park.

Left: Schoolchildren at Bunnings Mile End sow their own seeds, while TFL Nursery Officer Katherine Hill talks to them. Above centre: Volunteers take part in the Adelaide City Council’s National Tree Day event. Above right, Jamestown’s St James School students, Josh, Mitch and Chloe Wehrmann, get into the spirit of tree day.

Tree day fun

Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day in July was

celebrated far and wide. TFL held a workshop for schoolchildren at the Bunnings Mile End store and many schools throughout the state held planting events. TFL was also involved in the Adelaide City Council’s National Tree Day event, which resulted in thousands of seedlings being planted along the Torrens.

New sponsorship and name for ETSA

Entering into its 10th year of supporting Trees For Life, the ETSA Utilities logo has taken

pride of place on the front cover of the Propagation Instruction booklet since 1992.

The instruction booklet is referred to throughout the growing season by volunteer growers, giving step by step instructions, species and sowing information and answers to commonly asked questions.

We are extremely delighted to announce that ETSA Utilities has committed to increasing its support by also sponsoring the propagation workshops. A series of 15 workshops take place each year in October and November providing training and guidance to new and existing volunteer growers.

This year there will be other changes taking place. ETSA Utilities is changing its name to SA Power Networks in September, so you will see a new logo on the booklet, on all workshop information and on our website. The new name reinforces the organisation’s commitment to SA as a business that is based and managed here, employing around 2000 South Australians and 180 apprentices.

Both the Instruction Book and the workshops are also having an overhaul and will this year be called ‘Trees For Life Growers Workshops’ sponsored by SA Power Networks and ‘Trees For Life Growers Handbook’ sponsored by SA Power Networks.

TFL is extremely grateful for the support of our sponsors, as through their sponsorship we are able to channel further funds into our programs to deliver positive outcomes for SA’s environment.

Alfred James: A tree is planted in memory of loved ones through the Memory Tree ProgramBanner Hardware: Visit your nearest Banner Hardware store to apply for your ‘Advantage Card’. TFL members will receive a $5 voucher on joining and up to 10 per cent discount off purchasesEarth Greetings: Free book mark with every pack of Dreamscapes greeting cards purchased at TFL’s on-line shop (www.treesforlife.org.au). Every pack sold contributes to a tree being plantedEco Direct: Invites you to try Australia’s leading eco nappy for free. Every pack of nappies sold helps TFLEco Pest Control: Donates $3.50 for every Termite baiting installationFoodland: Support the businesses that support TFL - Shop at Foodland ‘The Mighty South Aussies’ and buy SAJA Grigson Trading: Provides a contribution to TFL through our member salesSoul Deal: Register for on-line daily deals, save money and support TFL through your purchasesTaking Care of Trees: Makes a donation to TFL for every tree they remove

Suppliers supporting TFL and Special Member Benefits

Trees For Life fee based services by our

professional staff

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

NRM Board Contacts

Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges: Kym Good 8273 9100 Alinytjara Wilurara: Geoff Axford 8357 3880Eyre Peninsula: Annie Lane 8682 5755Kangaroo Island: Bill Haddrill 8553 4300Northern & Yorke: Lynne Walden 8636 2361South Australian Arid Lands: Trevor Naismith 8648 5194South Australian Murray-Darling Basin: Hugo Hopton 8532 9100South East: Tim Collins 8724 6000


Did You Know?The butterfly on our front page is the Common Brown, Heteronympha merope merope. It is a common but attractive butterfly that is widespread in the Adelaide region.

The species breeds on Australian native grasses and the adult is strongly attracted to flowers from which it gathers nectar.

If you want to know more about butterflies, contact the Butterfly Conservation of SA or visit www.butterflygardening.net.au

Kids, colour in our butterfly life-cycle

Butterflies – and some caterpillars – feature amazing colours. We would love you to get creative

and colour in the adjacent butterfly life-cycle picture, which can be found in full size on our website, www.treesforlife.org.au

Print off the picture, go crazy with your colours and then send your entry to us here at Trees For Life, 5 May Terrace, Brooklyn Park, SA, 5032.

Your picture will go into the draw to win one of 2 Earth Greetings ‘Dirt Girl’ packs.

We will also feature some of the entries on our Kids Branch page and the website. Entries close October 15.

Help bring butterflies back to your garden

South Australia is home to a unique array of butterflies.

You can encourage more butterflies into your garden by including local native plants such as grasses, sedges, daisies, eucalypts, bottlebrushes and banksias in your backyard. These native plants play a key role throughout the various stages of a butterfly’s lifecycle.

Butterflies are beautiful but in order to have butterflies you need them at their larval stage … the much less popular caterpillar!

The female butterfly is usually very selective in the plant she chooses to lay her eggs on and this will be different for each species. Plants essential to the ongoing survival of a particular butterfly species are referred to as the host plant and provide the food requirements for the larvae.

Without these essential host plants the particular butterfly species will not be able to reproduce and will therefore disappear from the local environment.

Butterflies rely on warmth from the sun to raise their body temperature and wings for flight and need the sun for orientation. Butterflies are rarely seen feeding in the shade, so flat stones in your garden can provide a place in which they can get warmth and rest.

Shelter is also an important element of any butterfly garden, as this helps protect them from predators and provides them with somewhere to feed and lay their eggs.

Butterflies are most active between mid and late summer. Grow a variety of natives in your garden so that a reliable food source is available throughout the year.

For more information visit www.backyards4wildlife.com.au

Win one of 2 Dirt Girl packs from Earth Greetings.

ReLeaf Issue no. 124

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Transcript of ReLeaf Issue no. 124