Greening Australia commends DFAT’s treeplanting efforts

Ms Skye Palmer, proprietor of the Café Brindabella, Mr Mark Butz, President of Greening Australia (ACT and SE NSW), Mr Michael L'Estrange, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, holding a panoramic photograph of the tree planting site, Mt Macdonald, presented to the Department by Greening Australia

On 28 July, the President of Greening Australia (ACT and SE NSW) Mark Butz presented a plaque and panoramic photograph of Mt Mcdonald to the Secretary, Mr L’Estrange and Ms Skye Palmer from Café Brindabella in recognition of the department’s contribution to the environment.

The Greening Australia award recognises the contribution of DFAT staff to the restoration of Canberra’s green spaces following the devastating bushfires of 2003. On Sunday 17 October 2004, volunteer staff from DFAT and the Café Brindabella joined with Greening Australia to plant 1500 native trees and shrubs on the slopes of Mt Macdonald. On accepting the award, the Secretary said that this was not a one-off environmental activity for DFAT, emphasising the department’s commitment to recycling, reducing energy and water consumption and other corporate environmental initiatives through the Environmental Management System (EMS).

The tree planting was funded by Café Brindabella’s 20 cent levy on the use of takeaway cardboard coffee cups. Since the inception of the levy in 2004, Café Brindabella and departmental take-away coffee drinkers have donated $11,410 to Greening Australia and usage of disposable cups has been cut by 40-45 per cent.

The strike rate of the planting has been remarkable. Ninety-five per cent of the trees have survived months of drought conditions without supplementary watering, apart from the initial planting. Almost a year on, the trees are thriving. When the trees mature, the Mt Mcdonald area will provide a habitat for native

birds and wallabies and shelter on migratory routes for the yellow-faced honey-eater.

The next DFAT tree planting day will also be at Mt Macdonald and is scheduled for Sunday 11 September, 10.00am-12.30pm, followed by lunch, 12.301.00pm.

DFAT’s hands-on support for the environment has developed from the implementation in 2004 of the Environmental Management System. Through the EMS, the department is working to reduce its impact on the environment and to develop more environmentally friendly work practices.