Green organisation growing more than Fifteen Trees

MANNA, snow, Yarra and swamp gums are all at home in the Ballarat area, alongside woolly and silky tea trees, the silver banksia and callistemon sieberi, a river bottlebrush.

An NGO launched more than a decade ago, to help local people access and plant these indigenous species, and more. Called Fifteen Trees, it’s a project led by former science teacher, Colleen Filippa.

“I began Fifteen Trees in 2009. The Black Saturday bushfires were the catalyst. They were so devastating, I just wanted to do something environmental to help out,” she said.

“We purchase trees which community groups get to plant for free. They pick them up from their local, independent nursery, and in return, they send me photos and a story about their tree-planting day.

“The trees are paid for by individuals and companies with a corporate, social responsibility, who have found me, or are people who I’ve targeted.”

A go-between for companies and community groups, Fifteen Trees is there for those that need green growth in a space, but can’t necessarily afford it, especially at a time like the COVID period, when committees can’t get together to fundraise.

“We’re right in the middle of tree-planting season. This is a small way we can do something, and people can plant them at their leisure,” Ms Filippa said.

Fifteen Trees has supported many projects over 11 years, including some at Narmbool, in the Leigh Creek catchment area which takes in various local Landcare groups, and at schools.

“More often, we get little, native tube stock, about 20 centimetres tall, but we also give out large, bare rooted, mature trees to schools as well.

“Harrison Funerals support that program. We’ve planted about 800 trees in the last 10 years with them, which have gone to lots of schools in Ballarat,” Ms Filippa said.

A particular campaign Fifteen Trees is focusing on currently is Trees for East Gippsland, following the bushfires last summer.

“COVID-19 has made them pale into significance a little bit, so we’re helping out two organic farms in East Gippsland, and trying to raise funds for 1500 trees for two properties.

“We’ll run that for all of August and are slowly getting there. People can buy one tree and a tree guard for $8.30,” Ms Filippa said.

Planting groups looking to take action across the city can make contact, as funds are available this season for the Ballarat area.

Visit 15trees.com.au.