Australia 2023 - Revegetating Marna Banggara

PROJECT REPORT AUSTRALIA 2023

REVEGETATING MARNA BANGGARA

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Dear friend,

Thanks to your support, a total of 509,500 trees were planted to restore 394 hectares of land in Australia.

Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole, and biodiversity can thrive.

None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you!

What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in Australia. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.

OVERVIEW

The objective of the Australia 2023 - Revegetating Marna Banggara project is to restore native vegetation that has been over-cleared in order to promote landscape connectivity within the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia. Taking place on an Indigenous Protected Area, the project worked closely with Traditional Owners and the local community, while aiding conservation efforts for numerous threatened species by restoring vital habitat and expanding wildlife corridors. Marna Banggara is from the Narungga language; with with marna meaning ‘healthy or prosperous’ and banggara meaning ‘Country’.

TREE SPECIES PLANTED

Twenty native tree and shrub species were planted for this project: hakea wattle (40,050), umbrella bush (39,400), manna wattle (16,800), notable wattle (22,400), umbrella wattle (33,600), golden wattle (33,600), hard-leaf wattle (5,600), dryland sheoak (11,200), christmas bush (30,240), native pine (11,200), narrow leafed hop bush (28,000), ruby saltbush (30,240), yorrell (16,800), 3 varieties of red mallee (82,880), mallee box (56,000), dryland tea-tree (56,000), native apricot (5,600), and desert cassia (50,400).

Planting sites were revegetated via direct seeding, seeking to re-establish the original ecosystem of Eucalyptus Porosa - Mallee Box woodland. With much of the peninsula cleared for agriculture, the planted trees will work to restore necessary conditions for a flourishing ecosystem in this region, particularly enhancing connectivity with surrounding woodlands and allowing vulnerable wildlife species safe passageways to travel.

SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT

Hakea Wattle (acacia hakeiodes)

Umbrella Bush (acacia ligulata)

Manna Wattle (acacia microcarpa)

Notable Wattle (acacia notabilis)

Umbrella Wattle (acacia oswaldii)

Golden Wattle (acacia pycnantha)

Hard-leaf Wattle (acacia sclerophylla)

Dryland Sheoak (allocasuarina verticillata)

Christmas Bush (bursaria spinosa)

Native Pine (callitris gracilis)

Narrow Leafed Hop Bush (dodonaea viscosa ssp.angustissima)

Ruby Saltbush (enchylaena tomentosa)

Yorrell (eucalyptus gracilis)

Red Mallee (eucalyptus leptophylla)

Red Mallee (eucalyptus oleosa)

Red Mallee (eucalyptus socialis)

Mallee Box (eucalyptus porosa)

Dryland Tea-Tree (melaleuca lanceolata)

Native Apricot (pittosporum angustifolium)

Desert Cassia (senna artemisioides)

TREE SPECIES IDENTIFICATION & USE

There are over 200 species of mallee worldwide – most of which are native to Australia. The Red Mallee (eucalyptus oleosa) is a tree that grows to about 35ft and has rough, fibrous brown bark that grows upward into a smoother, grey texture. This variety of red mallee is best identified by its glossy, green leaves. The leaves of the red mallee are known far and wide for producing eucalyptus essential oil. In fact, the name oleosa comes from the Latin word oleosus meaning "full of oil,” referring to the adult leaves containing plenty of essential oils.

Much smaller and shorter than most trees, the red mallee grows multiple smallerdiameter stems from a common root system. Because of this, the red mallee is seldom used for timber, but rather harvested for use of its burl growths in turning and other specialty projects. Other useful talents of this species are its ability to produce a large amount of biomass, ability to germinate easily, and resistance to salt, drought and frost.

There are over 350 species of tea tree worldwide, with over 85 being native to Australia. The Dryland Tea-Tree (melaleuca lanceolata) is a very common, small, evergreen shrub-tree that can be found all along the southern border of Australia. Growing to about 25ft, the dryland tea-tree begins with young, hairy branchlets that turn brown and brittle over time. Although tolerant of multiple habitats, this species tends to be confined to fresh water environments. It is along the coast that these trees tend to reach their greatest potential, whereas those growing in more arid, inland conditions tend to have stunted growth.

Since tea-tree are known for their strength and ease of workability, they’re employed for several construction purposes: flooring, furniture, carving, boat building, and musical instruments to name a few. In addition, dryland tea-tree tolerates drought, fire, salt, wind and frost well, meaning their use as an ornamental, for habitat and wind protection, and screening isn’t uncommon either. Wildlife, such as nectar eating birds and insects, can also be found around this tree, searching for food or nesting in foliage.

THE SIZE AND SCALE OF THE PROJECT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE AREA PLANTED AND SURROUNDING AREAS AS WELL.

YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP

This planting took place along the coastal fringe of the Yorke Peninsula, directly across from Wardang Island. The island is home to yindala, a little penguin colony and several migratory bird species. The Traditional Owners, the Narungga people from four clan groups across the Yorke Peninsula, are working to protect their connections to Country, storylines and songlines for future generations.

By reforesting this area, this project aims to connect existing patches of habitat and expand safe passageways for multiple threatened species, including the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat. With over half of the Southern Yorke Peninsula cleared for agriculture, it is more important than ever to streamline conservation efforts for this cherished creature so that it may reside in its natural habitat.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Reforestation to restore native vegetation and connect fragmented forest patches

DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT

Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happening on the ground.

PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT

BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS

There are numerous ways in which the project helped to restore, improve and nurture biodiversity. With the Yorke Peninsula already underway in its 20-year Marna Banggara program focused on rewilding the peninsula, this project moves progress one step forward by connecting fragmented patches, improving wildlife habitat for vulnerable and threatened species, and boosting resilience by restoring native vegetation to repair the ecosystem and work toward a healthier, more diverse natural habitat.

One such species of importance is the critically endangered Brush-tailed Bettong, also known as Woylie. This small but mighty gardener is praised for its unique ecological role, which involves moving seeds and organic material around, in turn helping to improve soil health. Through this reforestation project, the Woylie’s chances of survival are augmented through enhanced habitat, room to forage, and – most importantly – connection to other existing Woylies in an effort to promote population growth.

YORKE PENINSULA FACTS & STATS:

The Copper Coast region, located on the Yorke Peninsula, became a major mining centre in the 19th century because copper was brought to the surface by a wombat digging its burrow!

High Priority Animals:

Woylie (bettongia penicillata) - Critically Endangered

Malleefowl (leipoa ocellata) - Vulnerable European Rabbit (oryctolagus cuniculus) - Endangered

Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (lasiorhinus latifrons) - Near Threatened

White-Bellied Sea Eagle (haliaeetus leucogaster) - Endangered

High Priority Plants:

Fibre-ball Weed (posidonia australis) - Near Threatened

Slender-leaf Mallee (eucalyptus leptophylla) - Vulnerable

Glossy-leafed Red Mallee (eucalyptus oleosa) - Near Threatened

Kingscote Mallee (eucalyptus rugosa) - Near Threatened

Leafy Spiky Bitterpea (daviesia sejugata) - Endangered

Ghost-Spider Orchid (caladenia intuta) - Endangered

Goldsacks Leek Orchid (prasophyllum goldsackii) - Endangered

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

This project is situated on an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) managed by the Traditional Owners of the land, the Narungga people. Restoration of this land will assist the local community to support employment opportunities in areas such as tourism, vegetation management, and pest management.

Not only has this project provided opportunities for local Narungga people to restore the health of Country, but funding from this project is helping to establish the Point Pearce Aboriginal Council’s Ranger program. The community will be involved with the design of the program and contribute to how they would like to see it progress – for example, expanding to include seed collection for future revegetation projects, as well undertaking ongoing maintenance and monitoring activities.

U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

WHAT ARE SDGS?

Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate) our impact on the planet. Trees are one such solution.

From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting trees can address all 17 sustainable development goals.

“Thank you for supporting the restoration of this beautiful and unique coastal landscape in South Australia. We are honoured to be able to support Traditional Owners to heal country and re-establish habitat for iconic species like the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat.”

Meghan Danny Global Projects Support Specialist

Beth Dalgleish Director of Projects Australia