Spiny Daisy saved from extinction

Volunteer to grow native seedlings

BFL celebrates 20th Anniversary!

Contact usReLeaf is a production of Trees For Life.

Editorial/Advertising: Tania Kearney (ph: 08 8406 0500 or taniak@treesforlife.org.au) Production/Graphic Design: Image and Substance Printing: Finsbury Green

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: Callistemon rugulosus Scarlet Bottlebrush.

Trees For Life5 May Tce, Brooklyn Park 5032 Ph: 8406 0500 Fax: 8406 0599 info@treesforlife.org.au www.treesforlife.org.au

What’s on…Now-mid October - grower

registrations open

Sept 6 - Bushcare’s Major Day Out events

Sept 10 - Intro bush regen w-shop @ Willunga

Sept 10 - Seed Collection Workshop @ Minlaton

Sept 14 - Bushcare’s Major Day Out events

Sept 16 - TFL Board nominations close

Sept 20 - Intro bush regen w-shop @ Brooklyn Pk

Oct- Grower w-shops during month (Pg 6)

Oct 2 - Seed Collection Workshop @ Belair

Oct 7 - Group Seed Collection Day @ Myponga

Oct 8 - Intro bush regen w-shop @ Strathalbyn

Oct 11-12 Australian Plant Society sale

Oct 14 - Intro bush regen w-shop @ Burnside

Oct 16 - AGM + BFL 20 year celebration (Pg 8)

Nov - Grower w-shops during month (Pg 6)

Nov 16 - Tree Scheme Distribution Day

Nov 22 - Intro bush regen w-shop @ Brooklyn Park

Dec 3 - Trees For Life Christmas drinks

For more information or bookings phone Trees For Life on (08) 8406 0500. See Page 7 for Come ‘n Try events for those interested in bushland group activities.

General NewsPresident’s Message

Find us on:

Sinister SundewsBRETT OAKES

With Spring fast approaching, in quiet glades around South Australia, a predator is

waiting. While harmless to humans, a Sundew (Drosera sp.) is a small insect’s worst nightmare. These native relatives of the much better know Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula) emerge from their tubers in Winter, occurring in seasonally wet, but sunny, areas. The leaves of these plants have adapted to predation with long sticky hairs, and the ability to enclose around prey. Six or seven species of Sundew can be found in the State, with Drosera whittakeri, the Scented Sundew, the most common in the Adelaide Hills. In Spring, comparatively large, white to pink flowers appear, when the Sundews depend on insects for more than just food. Keep an eye out for these beautiful, but deadly, plants!

Let’s unite for our common goal

In my last President’s Message I lamented the extent to which the environment had slipped down the political and social agendas. Since then it has declined even

further. The State Budget saw more savage reductions to the environment portfolio including the elimination of several grant programs and there’s not a great deal of comfort at the federal level, despite the political spin.

Like many community-based non-government organisations we are currently doing it very tough indeed. We’ve never looked for handouts. Running on the smell of an oily rag isn’t new to us nor should it be, it’s what keeps us honest and focused. Let’s make best use of what’s available to us and if necessary we’ll “cut our coat according to the cloth”. So, in the midst of a thorough review of our strategic direction, we have been obliged to rigorously review and recast our budget for the current financial year and beyond.

Despite diversifying our income stream over recent years we’ve been hit by cuts to a range of government grant programs and the generally tight economic situation. It’s not quite a case of survival but more of consolidation and the potential delay of some expansionary ideas we had for the organisation. It’s proving a difficult process and stressful for our staff but it’s time to unite around our long-term commitment to undoing the damage done to our environment and natural habitat. We’re definitely up for the challenge and with your support I’m confident we’ll emerge better for the experience. Did I hear someone say “no pain no gain”?

In light of the above and after a great deal of consideration, The Board has decided to increase the basic family membership rate. There is also a great need to recruit more financial members. More details about this can be found on Page 11 in the Members section of this ReLeaf edition.

New strategic planOur new strategic plan will provide a focus for the future. People and the environment will be key themes. Our people are what make us different to many other environmental groups and we constitute a family of like-minded individuals, a community. I’d like to enlist your help in recruiting new members. Many are disillusioned by governments that appear to have found undoing the damage done to our environment too hard or expensive and are increasingly leaving the solution to the community. Consequently, now more than ever, people are looking for ways in which they can help save the planet. TFL offers such opportunities; please encourage a friend, family member or work colleague to join and hopefully volunteer.

Don’t forget that together we can perform miracles.Finally I wish to pay my respects to Don Packer who died

on July 22. Don was a personal work colleague and friend for many years and it was he who persuaded me to join TFL. A lifelong environmentalist, Don was a foundation member, served as Vice President for a number of years in the 1990s and volunteered in a wide variety of roles for the organisation.

RIP ‘Spag’, you will be sadly missed.DAVID MITCHELL AM

Foodland supports saltbush promotion

Trees For Life teamed up with Foodland - ‘The Mighty South Aussies’ - for National Tree Day

this year, asking South Australian residents to grow a plant to help the State’s environment.

An estimated 20,000 Ruby Saltbush kits were developed and sold for $1 at all 116 Foodland stores just in time for Planet Ark’s National Tree Day on July 27.

The kits contained seed to grow the Ruby Saltbush, step-by-step instructions and jiffy pots.

Trees For Life chose the Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa) species because of its suitability to most parts of the State. It is a shrubby perennial growing up to 1 metre high, with succulent grey foliage and berry-like fruit and tolerant of drought, frost and moderate salinity. The plants are also a valuable food source for many native birds and provide vital habitat for lizards, ants and other native wildlife.

Trees For Life would like to thank Foodland for its enormous help and support in ensuring the project got off the ground. Foodland helped with promotion, distribution to all 116 stores throughout SA and committed that all proceeds from the sale of the kits would go directly into on-ground environmental work through Trees For Life.

Foodland retailers have been valued supporters of the local community for over 50 years now and they have supported Trees For Life since 1996.

Trees For Life’s Bess Hillyard with some of the Ruby Saltbush kits.

Special celebration on AGM night

Trees For Life has a special night planned for its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, October 16.

Prior to the AGM, between 6-7pm, Trees For Life will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Bush For Life Program.

Anyone involved in the program during the past 20 years, is invited to join us to celebrate and reflect on our many achievements along with staff, program partners and special guest (and BFL founder) Andrew Allanson.

The event will be followed directly at 7pm with a talk by Weeds Botanist from the South Australian Herbarium, Chris Brodie.

At 8pm the AGM will get underway, during which the following Board positions will be filled: Vice-President, Treasurer and three Ordinary Board Members.

If you feel you have skills or expertise to help the organisation, nominations for the Board are open until 5pm on Tuesday, September 16. Any enquiries to President David Mitchell on (08) 8251 1088 or at dm_mitchell@bigpond.com

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 this special night, starting with Bush For Life’s 20th anniversary celebration.

The event will be held at St Richard’s Church Hall, 1 May Terrace, Brooklyn Park (just two doors down from the TFL office). Drinks and light refreshments will be served.

Those wanting to attend are asked to RSVP to the office on (08) 8406 0500.

Trees For Life Spring 2014 Number 1321 2

General News 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.

Spiny Daisy saved from exctinction

An endangered daisy shrub, first collected by Burke and Wills in central New South Wales in

1860, was translocated from the Mid North to the Riverland in July.

The Spiny Daisy (Acanthocladium dockeri) was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery near Laura in South Australia’s Mid North in 1999, but has not been sighted in the Riverland since the original recording in 1910.

In a collaborative effort between the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Banrock Station Environmental Trust and Trees For Life, a recovery team including Trees For Life’s Threatened Flora Officer Northern & Yorke, Erica Rees, planted an estimated 600 spiny daisy tube stock seedlings at Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre in an effort to re-establish the plant in the region.

Conservation and Land Management Threatened Species Ecologist Doug Bickerton said with only six natural populations of the Spiny Daisy in existence in SA, all currently located in the Mid North, replanting in the Riverland increased the species chance at survival.

Six genotypes“The significance of this exercise

is that this is the first planting in another region outside of the Mid North, and it’s also a re-introduction into an area we knew it was growing a century ago,” he says.

“All of the natural populations are clonal, which means we have only six genotypes of the species, so the best way to ensure the species is saved from extinction is to have as many plantings as possible.”

The Spiny Daisy is listed as critically endangered under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999), and is endangered in SA.

With the experience of 17 translocation exercises within the Mid North region since its rediscovery in 1999, the recovery team was confident the translocation of the Spiny Daisy back to the Riverland would be successful.

“We’re very confident because we have this historical record that the plant was growing here successfully 100 years ago.

“We’ve spent time out travelling around looking at potential sites in the Riverland area, looking at soil types, possible threats and suitable habitat and we’re confident that the three sites we’ve chosen on the Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre will be the ideal planting location for them,” Mr Bickerton said.

Dr Christophe Tourenq, Banrock Station Wetland Manager, said he was excited to welcome the rare daisy to the wetland centre.

“It’s not every day you get the chance to help bring a species back from the brink; especially a species that is connected to the history of Australian exploration,” Dr Tourenq said.

Helping plant the first Spiny Daisy seedlings at Banrock are Bush For Life Manager Mark Ellis and TFL’s Threatened Flora Officer, Northern & Yorke, Erica Rees.

The interperative sign at Banrock which explains the significance of the Spiny Daisy translocation.

Trustpower, Pacific Hydro help repair burnt out land

Wind farm development companies Trustpower and Pacific Hydro have each

donated $15,000 to help revegetate bushfire-ravaged areas of Eden Valley and Sanderson.

The donations went towards the collection of seed, propagation of plants and the purchase of tree guards. This culminated in a major tree planting day on August 16.

“Following the bushfires that ravaged the region both Trustpower and Pacific Hydro worked together to find a suitable organisation to channel a donation from us into a long term benefit,” said Trustpower Wind Generation Development Manager Rontheo van Zyl.

“We were looking for an organisation that could oversee a direct, substantial and lasting contribution that would help restore the environment,” he said. “Trees For Life, which had a program specifically focusing on the district in which we are working, was the ideal recipient.”

Trees For Life Tree Scheme Manager Ian Lett said the planting day was the end result of months of work by local and Adelaide-based growers, community nurseries that have assisted with plant selection, and support from local Natural Resource Management boards and councils.

“The total funding of the project, which also included public donations, resulted in production of around 7000 native seedlings, along with stakes and tree guards, as well as logistics and advice required to underpin the project,” Mr Lett said.

At the planting day, Trustpower and the local Country Fire Service provided a barbecue lunch for volunteers.

Fifth planting day for convention centre

Well done again to the Adelaide Convention Centre’s planting crew.

For the fifth year, the Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC) gathered a group of staff and family members together for a planting day.

The ACC is a leader in its environmental and sustainable policies and credentials and getting their hands dirty every year at a special planting day is another way they put their money where their mouth is (so-to-speak!).

This year’s planting day was held in mid-July on Janet and Erinn Klein’s property, Ngeringa Wines. Ngeringa Wines is a biodynamic vineyard and farm at Mt Barker Springs.

Despite being a relative small crew this year, 383 native seedlings were planted. The day also gave them an opportunity to see just how well the seedlings they planted on the property last year were progressing. A great team effort!

The Adelaide Convention Centre’s planting crew.

This corridor, planted by the ACC team last year on the Ngeringa Wines’ property, is progressing extremely well.Volunteers at the Eden Vallety planting.

Three millionth milestone reached!

Winter 2014 is a special time for the SA Urban Forests Million Trees (MT) Program.

It marks the reaching of an important goal and the culmination of years of commitment and hard work.

The program began in 2003, contributing towards achievement of the carbon sequestration and biodiversity targets within South Australia’s Strategic Plan. It had a target of ‘three million local native plants to be established throughout Greater Adelaide by 2014’ and this goal was reached in winter. Celebrations have been planned to acknowledge the occasion.

The main on-ground component of the program was to reconstruct about 2000 hectares of native vegetation throughout the Adelaide Metropolitan Open Space System, off-setting carbon emissions (an estimated 600,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents over the life of the plantings), providing vital habitat for wildlife and improving air and water quality. In achieving this goal the program has significantly improved the amenity of Adelaide’s urban and peri-urban environment.

Community engagementThe program has also fostered a greater understanding and appreciation of sustainability and biodiversity conservation throughout the community. By involving and engaging with the wider community, valuable learning opportunities were created for both school students and the general public. All metropolitan local councils, 12 State Government agencies and more than 180 schools

have been involved, through MT initiatives such as Grow a Great School, the Local Government Biodiversity Officers Network (LGBON), and many local planting events, held every winter at sites across Adelaide. Other engagement and education strategies of The Million Trees Program have included the development of websites, information pamphlets, factsheets and booklets, and the coordination of numerous public exhibitions and displays.

Over the course of this program, an estimated 30,000 people have been actively involved in growing and planting seedlings for the program. Since 2004, Trees For Life volunteer growers have contributed more than 300,000 plants to sites across Adelaide.

The SA Urban Forest Million Trees Program would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of Trees For Life and its volunteers. Their efforts have been vital to the success of the program and the reaching of the ‘three millionth seedling’ milestone.

Trees For Life Spring 2014 Number 1323 4

Tree Scheme Tree Scheme

Growers give feedback with online survey

Each year we ask volunteer growers about their experience of growing seedlings.

This year we used an online survey tool called Survey Monkey. This has helped reduce postage costs for this survey alone by over $800. Add to this savings in printing and labour costs, savings to growers of return postage and the ease of collating and analysing results. We will be using this tool for more surveys in future.

84 growers responded to the Grower Survey out of 732 growers (11.5%) with all but two respondents growing for landholders.

100% of growers used the Grower Handbook with 98% finding it either ‘useful’ or ‘very useful’. One third of growers rang Trees For Life seeking grower support, 13% used our website and 10% attended a grower workshop. This year we used our Facebook page to support growers for the first time, and 4% used this service.

Growers who need support this year can post a question or photo on Facebook. This way you can access the expertise of experienced growers as well as Trees For Life staff.

We asked growers if they would like to help us conduct a trial of a new design of tube. A huge 93% of respondents said yes. Stay tuned to hear about this trial. This year most growers will use the traditional soft plastic tube, with a small number trialing the new design.

Grower-landholder contactMost contact between growers and landholders (63%) was initiated by the grower, with most making contact between one and three times. Ten per cent of growers made contact with their landholder more than seven times during the growing season and the same proportion reported problems with making contact. We encourage landholders to maintain contact with their growers, from early in the growing season until handover.

More than a quarter of respondents got backup stock from our Adelaide nursery. The success of the Tree Scheme depends on landholders

receiving what they ordered. Backup gives growers who did not have 100% success in their propagation the chance to top up with seedlings grown by other volunteers. Landholders who did not receive all that they ordered can also source backup seedlings.

Most seedlings were collected by the landholder, with 30% delivered by the grower. Over 90% were satisfied with the arrangement.

Overall satisfaction with the program was very high, with 96% of growers feeling that the landholder appreciated the effort they put into growing, and 94% reporting satisfaction with their growing experience.

Footnote: Respondents to the survey went into the draw to win a wine pack from Chapel Hill wines. Congratulations to winners David and Sarah Gigger. They have been Trees For Life growers since 1994 and over the past 20 years have grown more than 10,000 seedlings for landholders.

Overall satisfaction with the Tree Scheme Program is very high, according to feedback we received from our annual Grower Survey.

Distribution Day: Sunday, Nov 16

Each year we distribute an estimated 10,000 boxes of potting mix, together with other materials

to more than 45 depots across South Australia.

It is a huge exercise, only possible because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers.

This year say a big thanks to your depot manager when you pick up your growing materials on Sunday, November 16!

Over 100 volunteers join planting group

Trees For Life often gets asked how people can get involved in planting trees.

Schools, communities and individuals want to contribute to a healthier South Australia and planting native seedlings is one way to contribute.

After the January bushfires devastated large tracts of vegetation we considered how Trees For Life could help landholders. We started a Facebook group to help them find volunteers to help plant native seedlings. The demand for planting opportunities was huge, with over 100 people joining in the first three months. Highlights of the group include:• This entry from a grower - “Planted

over 240 Trees For Life trees that I grew for a landholder at Two Wells with only 4 of us planting , not a bad effort I think … doing the rest of the 600 in two weeks”.

• Three planting events in the Wirrabarra area as part of the Bangor Bushfire Revegetation Project.

• A landholder with surplus seedlings offered them to other landholders in the area and found a grateful recipient.

• A planting day in the Eden Valley on bushfire affected land involving CFS, TFL sponsors and volunteer planters.

We are considering other ways of supporting landholders to revegetate in the future.

Where are the packets of fertiliser?

Experienced growers will expect to find a little black packet among their growing materials marked

‘Fertiliser’. However there are no packets of fertiliser this year.

Instead we have had the slow release fertiliser mixed in with the potting mix. This will ensure that the fertiliser is evenly mixed in and that it will not be forgotten.

What fertiliser do we use? The same as usual, Osmocote Blue with low phosphorus (NPK 1.6:4.4:8.3) which releases over nine months.

Give us your feedback on the change. Did your trees grow as well as last year? What were the advantages and disadvantages?

2014 Grower 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. Workshops are fun, practical and informative and cover all the key steps to growing success. “I

learned a lot, even after growing for eleven years. I encourage all growers to attend” - workshop participant. Reserve your place by booking now:

Weekday morning sessions:Fridays 10am-12pm Oct 10,17,24,31 & Nov 7,14

Evening sessions:

Wednesday 5.30-7.30pm Oct 22 & Nov 5

Weekend sessions:

Saturday AM 10am-12pm Oct 11, 18, 25 and Nov 1,8

Saturday PM 1-3pm Oct 11, 18, 25 and Nov 1,8

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

Trees For Life seedlings, grown by volunteer Alistair Cornell, above, were planted at Freedom Hill Sanctuary in July as part of a working bee. Pictured helping are (top) James Livingstone and Katherine Russell and above, Alistair with young Isabelle. More than 50 people attended the planting event at Freedom Hill Sanctuary, an Adelaide Hills property which cares for abandoned or neglected farm animals.

Volunteer to grow for our State this season

Around 700 people grew seedlings in the last year for landholders.

This year we are looking for 700 more growers. Some growers have been growing for many years, like Alan Norton who started in 1998 and is coming up to 10,000 seedlings grown. Others have started growing more recently.

Whether you are a green thumb, or new to propagation, you are good enough!

We will support you to grow healthy indigenous seedlings. Learn all the skills by attending a workshop. Follow the Grower Handbook to guarantee good results.

And contact us to get answers to all your propagation dilemmas.

Register by October 17 to grow this year. Phone us on (08) 8406 0500 or email info@treesforlife.org.au

2014 Grow Your Own Workshop

If you are a landholder who has ordered seedlings through TFL and plan to grow and plant out your own in the coming season, this workshop is for you. The workshop will include growers workshop information, as well as

necessary preparation for planting out on properties.

Friday 10am-1pm November 14

Trees For Life Spring 2014 Number 1325 6

Bush For Life Bush For Life

South Australia battles Buffel grassTROY BOWMAN*

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) has been recognised as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in

the arid zone of South Australia.This introduced species has the

capacity to transform ecosystems through habitat loss, competition with native plants and alteration of natural fire regimes. In recognition of the potential impacts caused by this serious weed, buffel grass has been proposed for declaration under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.

Biosecurity SA led the preparation of the South Australian Buffel Grass Strategic Plan 2012-2017 and is coordinating a three-year project funded through a Native Vegetation Council Significant Environmental Benefits Grant. Key outcomes of the project include the coordination of buffel grass control at priority infestations, defining best practice for managing buffel grass, development of innovative trials and demonstration sites, development of educational extension materials and targeted surveillance at strategic sites.

In April this year a survey of roadsides in the mid-north and on Yorke Peninsula was undertaken to identify key sites for control activities to help prevent spread.

Unfortunately, 2014 is proving to be a particularly good year for buffel grass germinations. In recent months new infestations have been discovered in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, Northern and Yorke and SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM regions.

Increased sightings of buffel grass in the southern portion of the State can be in part attributed to increased awareness. However, movement via vehicles, machinery, stock and other human activities contributes significantly towards buffel grass distribution.

Members of the community are encouraged to decontaminate vehicles, machinery, socks, shoes and pets when there is a risk that buffel grass seed might be present to avoid establishment in uninfested areas.

In recent years there has been increased recognition of buffel

grass as a significant weed threat. This has resulted in increased participation in control activities. NRM Boards, councils, multiple State agencies, NGOs and the community have all played a major role in the management of buffel grass across the state with co-operation from industry and the public.

Landholders are strongly encouraged to undertake buffel grass control. Please contact your local Natural Resources Centre if you find new infestations in Adelaide, the Mount Lofty Ranges, the South East, on Kangaroo Island or in the SA Murray-Darling region. For identification or control information contact your local Natural Resources Centre or visit the following links:

Biosecurity SA: www.pir.sa.gov.au/ biosecuritysa/nrm_biosecurity/weeds

Weeds Australia: www.weeds.org.au/Southern Arizona Buffel Grass

Coordination Centre: www.buffelgrass. org/content/identification* Troy Bowman is Biosecurity SA’s Buffel Grass operations coordinator.

Roadside Buffel grass in foreground creeping east of Highway A1 toward the Southern Flinders Ranges.

2014 Come & Try Bushcare

These full day activities are perfect for people who want to try bushcare for the first time.

Phone (08) 8406 0500 to book or find out more information.Wed October 1 @ Upper Hermitage

Thursday October 9 @ Bridgewater

Saturday October 25 @ Belair

Friday October 31 @ Lonsdale

Tuesday November 4 @ Harrogate

Sat November 22 @ Craigburn Farm

Wed November 26 @ Hahndorf

Tuesday December 2 @ Houghton

Bush For Life celebrates 20 years!MARK ELLIS

Twenty years ago, Trees For Life seedbank officers Andrew Allanson and Mary-Anne

Healey saw the need to start actively protecting our remnant bushland, the source of all the seed being used for revegetation projects.

They were visionaries, seeing the future for the protection and survival of our bushland in the many hands of our wonderful volunteers. And so, Trees For Life’s Bushcare program was born based on the simple but effective model of training ‘bushcarers’, equipping them with tools, and matching them with a patch of bush to look after. Bush regeneration requires a long-term approach and familiarity with the patch you are working in, so getting volunteers to adopt sites is the perfect way to ensure their protection.

From humble beginnings and few resources, Andrew gathered a small team of staff and volunteers and began approaching local councils and authorities, offering to help them manage their bushland areas. Small but important funding injections from the Native Vegetation Council and the Federal Government’s Save the Bush grant program in 1994 helped things along considerably.

Now 700 volunteers!Skip forward 20 years (and a change

of name in 2000 to ‘Bush For Life’), and look what we have achieved! The Bush For Life program and its volunteers have gone from strength to strength. Now, with more than 700 volunteers who have adopted sites, we have more than 320 Bush For Life sites across South Australia, representing over 4000 hectares.

The way we train and work with volunteers has evolved over time, but the key elements of an introductory training workshop, volunteers adopting sites and ongoing support from regional coordinators remains the same. We started running Bush Action Teams 14 years ago and they are now a well-loved and integral part of the Bush For Life experience. These mobile teams of volunteers boost morale and provide practical help to

bushcarers who have adopted a site.The Bush For Life program also has

to thank its wide range of partners for its continued success. The majority of sites are on council lands and the support and financial contribution of those councils is essential. Our biggest supporter and funding partner over the past 10 years has been the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board, with other smaller contributions over the years from SA Water, the SA Murray Darling Basin and the Northern and Yorke NRM Boards and through numerous grants and funded projects.

Unfortunately in these troubled times the need for bush regeneration is even stronger, and the political will of governments to contribute money is growing weaker by the day. But in the face of this adversity the Bush For Life program and its volunteers remain strong.

Here’s to the next 20 years.

Buffel grass tussock in flower.

We’ve come a long way with bushcare techniques and safe work systems too!

Andrew Allanson doing what he loved best; training volunteers in the field.

InvitationHave YOU been part of Bush For Life over the last 20 years? We invite

you to a small celebration with the Bush For Life team and partners, to reflect on our achievements with special guest Andrew Allanson.

Where: St Richard’s Church Hall, 1 May Tce, Brooklyn Park When: Thursday October 16, 2014. 6-7pm (doors open 5.30pm)

RSVP essential: Phone TFL on 8406 0500The event will be followed at 7pm with a talk by Chris Brodie and at

8pm by the TFL AGM (see page 2). All TFL members welcome.

Video stars

Have you ever really wondered what happens on a Bush Action Team day in the bush?

What about adopting a bushcare site; is it really for you? Well now you can see what it’s all about from the comfort of home simply by viewing our new Bush For Life videos on YouTube.

Simply type into YouTube ‘Come on a Bush Action Team with Trees For Life’ or ‘Adopt-a-Bush For Life site’ to view these short videos.

Why not share the link with your friends or post it on your Facebook page. After all we’d love to get more volunteers involved in bushcare.

Many thanks to the talented film makers Deb Shaw and Rebecca Dunker, and of course to the cast of real-life bushcare volunteers who were the video stars!

Filming a Bush Action Team at Karinya Reserve

Trees For Life Spring 2014 Number 1327 8

Property feature - Farnills Direct Seeding

Clocking up the kilometres on SYPDENNIS HAYLES

A number of projects running concurrently on Southern Yorke Peninsula have seen the Direct

Seeding team living ‘home away from home’ during 2014.

Since January 1 2014, nine three-four day trips have been undertaken to meet the requirements of seed collection, site visits, land preparation, woody weed control, direct seeding and tubestock planting culminating in more than 10,000km of vehicle travel. In addition, 420 hours of staff labour, 375 hours of volunteer and 120 hours of contractor labour have gone in to undertaking the tasks at hand.

The Direct Seeding Program is indebted to its volunteers who line up for each trip with kit bag and chair in hand, awaiting the 4 ½ drive to see just what is required of them on each particular trip. They then roll up the shirt sleeves (unless cloaked in wet weather gear) and set about meeting each target before retiring for a night’s well-earned rest.

We are generally remote and book local accommodation close to the region in which we work. We take all requirements to provide for food and refreshments, and cater ourselves to hearty meals to ‘feed the beasts’, along with a few well-deserved celebratory drinks at day’s end.

The following is a summary of SYP achievement thus far in 2014.

Trees For Life Biodiversity Grant ‘Point Yorke Re-connection & Restoration Project’

Works for this federally funded four-year project began in 2013, with 33 hectares of direct seeding along with agricultural and woody weed control on private landholdings along South Coast Rd near Foul Bay.

This year’s works included collection and processing of local provenance seed requirements comprising 21 species and totalling more than 50kg of mixed seed. Forty three hectares of direct seeding was carried out. In addition, 1700 heathland tubestock seedlings were planted, and two hectares set aside and prepared for native grassland

areas to be established. Further woody and agricultural weed control was carried out.

University of Adelaide ‘Predictive Provenancing Trial’

Trees For Life is collaborating with the University of Adelaide and Greening Australia in undertaking planting trials of native species common across the Northern & Yorke NRM zone. Multiple provenances of seed of four chosen species were collected and plants grown in the nursery. These have been planted in three replicated trial sites on the Point Yorke site and also at Point Pearce further up the peninsula. It is hoped that research at these trial sites may impart important information as to how we may adaptively undertake landscape restoration in a future being greatly modified by climate change.

SYP CAP Project Biodiversity Grant ‘Conserving South-western Yorke Peninsula: Local Communities Restoring Critical Habitat and Landscape Linkages’

The Southern Yorke Peninsula Conservation Action Planning Group, of which TFL is a member, won federal funding to undertake a broad range of environmental works on SYP over a five year period, including revegetation of 250 hectares of cleared land, particularly areas which supported melaleuca and allocasuarina open woodlands.

TFL has been contracted to provide the services of seed collection and storage (156kg), and direct seeding (65ha) for the initial project on-ground works. Seed collection has been taking place for over 12 months and the required species quantity and diversity collected and safely stored in our Brooklyn Park seedbank.

In May, spraying for weed control was undertaken on four private landholdings from Corny Point to Pt Turton in preparation for direct seeding. In June and July, 163km of seeding rows using 82kg of seed was carried out in excellent conditions.

With these large scale projects in process and with much work to continue with, at no time soon will the direct seeding staff and volunteers be stowing away their travel bags. Soon enough, it’ll be Bon Voyage again as we head away to SYP.

Special opportunity to care for Arcadia

The ‘tree change’ phase of life.

In their retirement ‘tree change’, Doug and Olga Farnill bought 24-hectare Arcadia in 1999 with the

aim of restoring it.The Farnills moved from Sydney for

financial reasons, and to enjoy a taste of country life with easy access to city services.

The property had originally been stringy bark, open forest, perhaps bordering on some grassy woodland. At the beginning of settlement the magnificent stringy barks had been cut down to make charcoal and the slopes were cleared and since used for cattle grazing. In spite of the grazing history, the property showed great potential for native restoration.

Doug had retired from his work as a university teacher in his late 60s, and Olga from her career as a psychologist in NSW. Neither had experienced country living and work on the land. They now say the experience has been enriching and provided a deep satisfaction, both looking back on their stewardship of the land with pride, stating “It has been one of the great highlights of our life”.

Doug and Olga now feel it is time to pass on the opportunity to others.

The Adelaide Hills and 24 hectares of Arcadia

The property’s beauty and its potential to develop much greater native biodiversity first attracted these retirees. They revegetated using seeds gathered from the local area in order to encourage indigenous fauna and flora. They systematically reduced the number of cattle agisted on the property and extended the revegetation areas with the aid of an Envirofund Grant (Federal Government), the assistance of volunteers, and the Trees For Life Tree Scheme Program.

The native plants flourished as artificial fertilisers had virtually never been added (apart from the cattle’s manure) and the slopes allowed any excess fertility to be washed away rapidly.

There were many native grasses, orchids and ground-covers in evidence among the introduced pasture grasses

and these are now coming to the fore while introduced pasture grasses are being reduced under the shade of the native trees and shrubs and the diminution of the of excess fertility.

The property is also bordered by a Trees For Life bushcare site and a patch of native bush along one fenceline. Both of these are sources of gradual seeding onto the property, further increasing the biodiversity.

Partnership with Trees for LifeBy 2012, Doug being 82 years old,

and Olga getting on, the Farnills decided to move to the city. They shared the ownership with Trees For Life and devised a five-year management plan.

The aims were to increase the biodiversity by re-greening a corner of SA after much land clearing, to provide more habitat for native birds and creatures, as well as storing carbon, preventing erosion, salinity, cleaning watercourses and making the property more self-maintaining.

That program is now well underway and it is time to pass on the ownership to a family which wants to continue this stewardship of the land and contribute positively to the environment.

At this stage at least 86 major species have been planted or regenerated through the property plan. Much self-seeding is occurring from the growing plants and many small species are emerging from the native seed bank in the ground including tiny understorey plants. Numerous species of fungi abound in some seasons. Increasing numbers of birds and other wildlife are seen on

the property, including many unusual spiders, a number of butterflies and moths, possums, kangaroos, echidnas, reptiles and occasional koalas. Around 144 species of birds have been reported within a 5km radius of the property and 58 species directly observed on the property since 2000. At least four frog species live around the six dams and seven species of bat fly overhead at night according to recent surveys.

Opportunity knocksThe Farnills say it has been a great

way to live: “Perhaps more people could consider an interim career for a few years between the end of their main lifetime occupation and more complete retirement!”

House and amenitiesThe house comprises three

bedrooms and a study, solar hot water and excellent rainwater supply, two large living areas, spacious kitchen, excellent heating and airconditioning in the living room. Beautiful outlook from all windows. Mt Barker is nearby and there is good freeway connection to the city. Huge shed, shelving, water, concrete floor, 3-phase power, secure, large enough to accommodate a wide range of activities, perhaps even commercial letting. The brick veneer house, insulated with metal blinds, is approaching 25 years old and would benefit from some updating of the bathroom, ensuite, and floor coverings. The full-size tennis court is usable after some work.

For more information on Arcadia, contact Trees For Life CEO Greg Boundy on (08) 8406 0500.

Beautiful Arcadia ... a superb example of biodiversity at its best.

Direct Seeding at Point Yorke as part of the Biodiversity Grant Project, using the V-blade machine.

Volunteers Richard Winkler, Ben Brinkman and Alan Dandie preparing to plant some of the 1700 seedlings.

Direct Seeding volunteers Richard Winkler and Alan Dandie remove woody weed seedlings at Point Yorke.

The University of Adelaide ‘Predictive Provenancing Trial’ is underway on the Point Yorke site.

Trees For Life Spring 2014 Number 1329 10

2014 Intro bush regen 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 Regeneration Workshop. Phone (08)

8406 0500 to register for workshops.Wednesday September 10 Willunga

Saturday September 20 Brooklyn Park

Wednesday October 8 Strathalbyn

Tuesday October 14 Burnside

Saturday November 22 Brooklyn Park

For Members For Members

2014 Group seed collection day (SD1)Tuesday Oct 7 Myponga

Car pooling will be arranged for the group seed collection day. For more information phone Seedbank Manager Bruce Smith on (08) 8406 0500.

2014 Advanced workshopsIntroduction to Plant Identification:Friday Sept 26 Stirling

Saturday Sept 27 Stirling

Grass Identification and Management:Thursday Oct 23 Brooklyn Park

Saturday Oct 25 Brooklyn Park

2014 Seed collection workshops (SC1)Wed-Thurs Sept 10-11 Minlaton

Tuesday Oct 2 Belair

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

‘Muntiri’, 214 Kindaruar Road, Clayton Bay (Milang).

115 hectares; 40 of cropping paddock with scattered Pink Gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa); 75 of woodland/shrubland under Heritage Agreement, the largest remnant in the district and a Bush For Life site.

Several associations include Pink Gum woodland, Mallee, Banksia /Leptospermum shrubland and Broombush. Other trees include Eucalyptus odorata, incrassata, socialis, phenax, leptophylla, Callitris and sheoaks. Over 120 native plants species have been identified.

Wildlife includes Western Grey Kangaroos, Echidnas and 151 bird species.

An architect designed rammed

earth cottage with a northern aspect and view of the ranges has solar power, wood heater and plentiful rainwater. It is a quiet retreat near Lake Alexandrina an hour from the city with easy access to Goolwa, the South Coast and the Langhorne Creek Wine Region.

Contact Wayne Stringer, Landmark Harcourts Strathalbyn on 8536 2555 or 0408 869 593 (mobile).

For sale: exceptional scrub with cottage

Trees For Life Tour Down Under

If you are thinking of doing the Bupa Challenge Tour during the Santos Tour Down Under why not join the

Trees For Life team!The Bupa Challenge Tour will be

held on Friday January 23 and will run from Glenelg to Mount Barker via Myponga and Strathalbyn - following the same course as the professionals will use for Stage 4 of the Santos Tour Down Under. There are four distance options for the Bupa Challenge: 152km, 119km, 78km and 27km.

Seedbank Manager Bruce Smith, who has completed the previous 11 community rides, will act as team captain. If you would like to join him, and get a jersey with “TREES FOR LIFE” printed on the back, enter before October 31, when team registrations close.

Booking is on-line via the South Australian Tourist Commission, and when asked for the team code, enter BCT091. If you have already registered and would like to join the team, email Tamara Trapp at breakawayseries@tourism.sa.com and Tamara will make the change.

Seedbank Manager Bruce Smith, above, is the captain of the Trees For Life team which will participate in the Bupa Challenge Tour.

Something to consider?

You may wish to consider leaving a lasting legacy on the environment. This could be

achieved through a donation, either as part of an allocation from your Estate through your Will, or at any stage in your lifetime. If you decide you’d like to help the environment through Trees For Life, you can do so by either contacting us direct, or through our Trust Fund, which is managed by the Public Trustee’s Community Foundation of SA.

Please contact us for more information or visit our website: www.treesforlife.org.au

2015 Calendar: small subjects, big impact

‘Life in Miniature’ is the theme for our 2015 Trees For Life Calendar.

It was an unusual subject choice but brought out some inspiring work and once again, we were thrilled at the response with hundreds of submissions emailed to us.

The subjects include many types of fungi, exquisite tiny native flora, baby birds in nests and even a few creepy crawlies!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to be part of this annual promotion.

Our 2015 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.

Dew droplets caught in a Drosera macrantha (Bridal Rainbow Sundew). Photo by Kym Smith.

Miniature fungi. Photo by Samantha Jones.

Join us for annual Christmas drinks

Christmas is fast approaching and no doubt the calendar will fill up quickly with festival

engagements.Please save the date and join us

for Trees For Life’s annual volunteer recognition evening and Christmas drinks, to be held on Tuesday December 2 between 5.30-7.30pm.

This year the event will be held at the Thebarton Community Centre, located on the corner of South Road and Ashwin Parade (entry to the carpark via South Road).

Our annual party gives the Board and staff at TFL the opportunity to thank you all for your valuable contribution over the past 12 months.

Award presentations will also be made.

Email info@treesforlife.org.au if you can attend, or phone (08) 8406 0500. Please also notify us of any special dietary requirements.

Hope to see you all there!

Tree tally a winner

Did you know that every year, Trees For Life’s native seedlings are counted as part of the

National Tree Day tally by Planet Ark?We are one of the main

contributors to their overall tally nationally, often being among the top five in Australia. A pretty amazing statistic considering other contributors are Australia-wide organisations! For the 2013-14 National Tree Day tally, Trees For Life’s contribution was 721,550 seedlings, 674,400 being landholder orders; the remaining backup and project orders.

These annual statistics are used by Planet Ark to prove the success and worthiness of holding National Tree Day and obtaining funding from government and sponsors.

Membership rate to rise from October

Message from Trees For Life President David Mitchell and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Boundy:

Although TFL is fundamentally sound there’s clearly a need for increased financial

support including recruiting more financial members while increasing membership fees.

After a deal of consideration the Board has decided to increase the basic family membership by $10 to $55 per annum; operative from October 1. This is the first increase since 2006.

Furthermore, not all members are financial and we’re asking everyone to give serious consideration to converting to paid membership. Volunteers and the work you do are valued but we would ask you to seriously consider whether you might also be able to make a contribution to TFL beyond your physical efforts; concessional rates are available for those that qualify.

Our request is that you simply give the proposition serious consideration.

Thank you for your ongoing suport.

Trees For Life Spring 2014 Number 13211 12

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

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 0599info@treesforlife.org.auwww.treesforlife.org.au

Trees For Life Board

President: David MitchellTreasurer: Hanne DamgaardSecretary: Nathan DaniellBoard Members: David Grybowski, Meera Verma, Megan Antcliff, Natasha Davis, Warren Hilton and Jim Humphrys

Trees For Life Contacts

Chief Executive Officer: Greg BoundyOffice Manager: Lisa AdamsTree Scheme Manager: Ian LettBush For Life Manager: Mark EllisDirect Seeding Manager: David HeinTFL Works Manager: Matthew EndacottTFL Carbon Manager: Dennis HaylesSeedbank Manager: Bruce SmithTFL Nursery: Graham Greaves, Brett Oakes

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

Natural Resources Contacts

Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges: Kym Good 8273 9100 Alinytjara Wilurara: Matthew Ward8303 9667Eyre Peninsula: Annie Lane 8688 3111Kangaroo Island: Bill Haddrill 8553 4300Northern & Yorke: Trevor Naismith 8841 3400South Australian Arid Lands: Stuart Paul 8648 5194South Australian Murray-Darling Basin: Hugo Hopton 8532 9100South East: Tim Collins 8724 6000

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

Trees For Life’s IT Manager is:

Trees For Life NurseryBrooklyn Park, SA

Wholesale tubestock, local provenance, professionally grown

Order quality seedlings for bulk or specialised projects. Choose from our provenance species lists

or we can collect and grow seed and cuttings to order. Minimum order 1000 seedlings.

Phone (08) 8406 0500 orinfo@treesforlife.org.au

Car pooling initiative launched in SA

An enterprising young South Australian has started a new car pooling business – La’Mule.

La’Mule founder, Oliver DuRieu, grew up on his family property in Paringa and now lives and works in Adelaide. His family are long-term Trees For Life members and have extensively revegetated their property through TFL over the years.

Concern for the environment and travel costs led Oliver, 22, to start researching car pooling initiatives.

“Although I relocated to Adelaide, I still loved going home to see family and friends but as a then 18-year-old apprentice, it was a struggle to find a ride or find someone to travel with me and share the fuel cost,” Oliver said.

“There are more than 17 million cars in Australia so by sharing a ride, people will save money on driving costs, reduce their carbon footprint and have the opportunity to broaden their social networks. La’Mule’s mission is to bring this travel option to life in Australia so everyone can benefit.”

To be part of this new initiative sign up at lamule.com.au, like them on facebook www.facebook.com/lamuleaustralia and follow on twitter @lamuleaustralia

La’Mule founder Oliver DuRieu, who spent National Tree Day planting seedlings in Adelaide.

Unique tree program respects generations

A unique partnership between Trees For Life and Alfred James Funeral Homes is helping the

local environment and providing living memorials for families and friends whose loved ones have passed away.

Through the Memory Tree Program, native trees and shrubs are planted as a symbol of life to honour the memory of a loved one.

The program was established in 1991 and an estimated 40,000 native trees and shrubs have since been planted. The first plantings were undertaken at O’Halloran Hill in the south, followed by Cobbler Creek in the north – resulting in almost 600 hectares of both parks being revegetated.

In 2004 Memory Tree plantings were moved to Monarto Zoo under a new arrangement between Alfred James, TFL and Monarto.

Ten years later and thousands of seedlings have been planted under this program on the hundreds of hectares of land surrounding Monarto Zoo. The species are carefully selected each year to ensure biodiversity and wildlife habitat are top priorities.

This year’s memory tree species include Enchylaena tomentosa (Ruby saltbush), Acacia brachybotrya (Grey mulga), Maireana brevifolia (Small leaf blue bush) and Melaleuca acuminata (Mallee honey-myrtle).

At both Monarto and Cobbler Creek, dedicated areas have been established within the plantings so loved ones can have a place to visit and grieve or reflect. At Cobbler Creek a special area features a sign and seating, which has been donated by the Friends of Cobbler Creek group (which also cares for the site).

At Monarto, the special Memory Tree area features a path leading up to a gazebo, with seating and signage. Plant species are also labelled so visitors can identify them.

As trees are planted, a certificate enclosed in a special folder is presented to the bereaved, along with information about the Memory Tree Program and Monarto.

For more information about the Memory Tree Program contact Alfred James on (08) 8272 8555.

Premier’s Award for BFL volunteering

Congratulations to Capgemini’s Adelaide business, which recently won the 2014

Premier’s Award for Corporate Social Responsibility in recognition of the volunteer work its employees have done – and continue to undertake – through Trees For Life.

Capgemini, a worldwide provider of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, actively encourages employees at all levels to “get involved in the communities in which they live and work”.

Last year 29 Capgemini staff undertook three days of volunteering through TFL’s Bush For Life Program. They attended Bush Action Team days on highly biodiverse and valuable sites in Banksia Park, Hallett Cove and Lonsdale.

In May this year Capgemini Adelaide staff undertook another day of corporate volunteering and have one more scheduled for later in the year.

If you are interested in corporate volunteering through Trees For Life phone the office on (08) 8406 0500.

Farm for sale at Finniss47 acre farm, fully certified organic for wine grapes, sheep, hay and native grass seed. Hybrid wind and solar energy system.

16 years of revegetation and caring for remnant native vegetation. Northern boundary is Finniss River with rare native fish.

3 to 4 bedroom house with verandas all round. 75km from Adelaide. $698,000. Hoping to find buyer interested in organics, reveg, sustainable living or all three!

For more information phone 0427 226 282.

Trees For Life Spring 2014 Number 13213 14

Greetings from Maggie the Magpie!

Hi! My name is Maggie the Australian Magpie, or Cracticus tibicen, as scientists like to call

me. You might remember me from some past issues of ReLeaf.

As a Magpie, I can be found all across Australia, and can grow up to 44cm long. I have a strong, hooked beak that I use to eat worms and other ground-dwelling insects such as spiders. I am an omnivore, which means I can eat meat as well as plants.

My habitat consists of open grounds, such as grasslands, as well as trees that I can make my nest in and lay my eggs.

You can help me and all my other Magpie friends by planting native trees so that we will have a home.

You can also help my other omnivorous bird friends and I by planting fruit-bearing trees such as native fig trees or desert limes so that we have something to eat. We might even stop by to say hi!Love Maggie

Test your knowledge

True or False:1. All trees lose their leaves during autumn.

2. Magpies only eat insects.

3. Trees grow from the top, rather than from the bottom up.

Answers: 1. False! Some types of trees, called ‘evergreen’ trees, keep their leaves all year long! Trees that lose their leaves are called ‘deciduous’ trees; 2. False! Magpies are omnivores, which means they can eat meat, such as insects, as well as plants, fruits and seeds; 3. True! You can make a mark in the tree and measure from the ground up to the mark. Then come back a few years later and you will find that the mark you made is still the same distance from the ground even though the tree may be several metres taller.

Tell us your story

Did you do anything for Schools Tree Day or National Tree Day? If you did then write in and tell us

about it. We also love to see some of your photos or a drawing!

Australian magpies are omnivores, which means they can eat meat as well as plants!

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