annual report2008-09

‘The Right Hon. Eucalyptus Camaldulensis’ painting by Garry DuncanDesign: Carly Gowers

Personnel 4Supporters 5President’s Report 7CEO’s Report 10Activity Summary & income sources graph 12Sponsor profile: SA Water 13Achievements 14Treasurer’s report 15Balance sheet 16Sponsor profile: Fusion 17Program reports: Tree Scheme & Seedbank 18Program report: Bush For Life 19Program reports: Direct Seeding & Carbon Neutral 20Volunteer group reports: Fleurieu tree planting & Willunga 21Sponsor profile: Earth Greetings 22

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SPONSOR: Earth Greetings

One of our newest sponsors, Earth Greetings, a sole operator based here in South Australia, has demonstrated phenomenal support of Trees For Life by donating funds to plant a native seedling for each box sold nationally.

Earth Greetings Director, Heide Hackworth has attributed part of the success of her growing business to her environmental business ethos and her association with Trees For Life.

‘Choosing to support Trees For Life through the sale of our boxed cards has been a fantastic way for me to demonstrate Earth Greetings’ commitment to the environment in a very tangible way. Customers love the fact that every time they purchase a pack of cards, not only are they buying a 100% recycled product which is better for the environment, but ‘every pack plants a tree!’ Earth Greetings was born out of my passion to produce stationery alternatives with a low environmental impact. I love the fact that through our donations to Trees For Life I am making the products work for the environment in a positive way as well.Trees For Life’s enthusiastic promotional activity to their members - both individuals and businesses - has resulted in a huge increase in growth for our business. Quite

simply, Earth Greetings association with Trees For Life has been great for business, and the environment”.

above: Designer, Creater & Owner,Heide Hackworth

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Thank you to the Board members and staff for their dedication and contribution over the past 12 months.

BOARD MEMBERSPresident David Mitchell Members Jonathan LambertVice President Mary-Anne Healy David GrybowskiTreasurer David Bradley Warren HiltonSecretary Megan Harper Michael Cain

STAFF [during the reporting period]CEO Carmel DundonAdministration Alison Platt Kelly Highcock Val Dawson Carly Gowers Bess Hillyard Richard Temple Cecile Chambon Kate Howard Simon Kalucy Rebekah Christensen Natasha Kapulski Sunita RamchandaniPromotions Glenys Perri Tania Kearney Bernie OmodeiCarbon Neutral Dennis Hayles Jessie Eatts Simon KalucyTree Scheme Maureen Redfern Bruce Smith Graham Greaves John Sharp Corey Jackson Direct Seeding David Hein Dennis HaylesBush For Life Mark Ellis Andrew Allanson Peter Watton Samantha Buxton Kerry McInnes Garry Forrest Sue Bradstreet Randall Bates Maurice Roche Tom Bradley Angela Cullen Margie Barnett Natalie Webster Ginenne Eylander Leanne Lawrence Paul Cullen Kim Jarmyn Darren Longbottom Bunti Pellen

CONTRACTORSCoordinators Kay Homes June Oliphant Kym Smith Petra Wilden Ben WildenPresenters Harry Chambis Andrew Crompton

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Fleurieu Volunteer Tree Planting GroupThe TFL Fleurieu Volunteer Tree Planting Group continues to provide much needed assistance to landholders in planting their trees ordered through the Tree Scheme. The feedback from the landholders is always very positive and appreciative, and the volunteers continue to attend in high numbers. This year the group attended ten plantings from May to September. A total of 4,172 trees were planted for 2009. The total number of volunteer hours for the planting team in 2009 is 369.25. The number of volunteers’ commitments over the season was 133. There were fewer trees available to plant this year and several planting locations had clay and or rocky soil, increasing the length of time necessary to plant. There were quite a few new volunteers, which is excellent to see. They were keen to learn how to plant and picked up the skills required quickly. The Program continues to provide an opportunity for volunteers to socialise and contribute to the environment in a positive manner. We look forward to next year.

Willunga GroupThe year 2009 began with a BBQ and planning session attended by twenty people.Environmental work by members this year included planting, weeding & showing people over the Wirra Demonstration Garden at Willunga on a monthly basis and planting & weeding at the Willunga end of the Coast to Vines walking trail. Students from Willunga Primary School helped with some planting & the Willunga Creeks Projects assisted with brush-cutting from time to time. Once again, we had a successful stall at the Willunga Almond Blossom Festival and were able to raise funds for our work and give a donation to TFL as a result. We will be staffing the Distribution Depot on the 15th November as we have done in previous years followed by our traditional BBQ. Our monthly meetings featured a number of interesting and inspiring speakers including Bill Dowling, the President of the Friends of the Victoria Desert Park and David Keane who spoke on The Fascinating World of Moths. All in all 2009 has been & continues to be a good year for the Willunga Group.

volu

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rsPERPETUAL SPONSORSCMV Foundation

MAJOR SPONSORSA Water

LEGAL PARTNERFinlaysons

GOLDEN WATTLE SPONSORSCaramel Computers Fusion

SILVER BANKSIA SPONSORSAlfred James Funeral Homes Earth GreetingsFoodland Woop Woop Wines

RED GUM SPONSORSElectraNet ETSA UtilitiesFinsbury Green The People’s Republic of AnimationUnitCare

CONSERVATION SPONSORBeach Petroleum

SUPPORTERSAustralian Central Credit Union Carthew CorporationCoopers Brewery Dermody PetroleumDunnings Engineering Eco DirectEco Pest Control Garry DuncanHills TeamPoly Image and SubstanceJA Grigson Remington DirectTaking Care Of Trees Tane TiesTanya Ha Publications The Brock Harcourt FoundationThe Settlement Wine Company Ultra Tune

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PROGRAM: Direct Seeding

This year was the best year on record for the Direct Seeding program with 548 kms of revegetation completed across South Australia.

State Government funding was also received in the second half of the financial year to assist three landholders complete their revegetation projects. This fundinghas proved invaluable as without it these landholders could not proceed. Work on these sites will be completed next season. The year provided many challenges with the drought seeing us hold off planting in the first half and then early and consistent rains in the second making it difficult to access some sites. The strong winter rains this season should see good germination and summer survival rates.

This year, with the help of Fooodland, we purchased a quad bike to help plant into difficult sites and to do shielded sprays quickly and efficiently. This has streamlined our hand direct seeding process leading to better planting outcomes.

Dennis Hayles has provided valuable support to the direct seeding program. His work ethic, knowledge and ideas have helped make the program more efficient.

Our thanks goes to Alan Dandie, Norm Lee, Geoff Clarke, Angela Cullen, Richard Winkler, Bill Scott, Ben Brinkman and Dennis Slade, our very enthusiastic group of volunteers who have assisted with seed collection over summer and hand direct seeding over winter.

David HeinDirect Seeding Manager

PROGRAM: Carbon Neutral

Our carbon sequestration program continues to grow with the generous support of both our member landholders and our. subscribers.

We now have eleven carbon planting sites planted across the greater Mt Lofty Ranges. All sites have, or are in the process of having, a Forest Property Agreement registered over them to protect the plantings from clearance for 100 years. The Monarto plantings are protected for 30 years. We are grateful for the assistance of Finlaysons in securing legal protection for the sites.

Our subscribers are drawn from all sectors of the community and include professional practices, small, medium and large businesses, banking, education, IT and tourism service providers.

Our international subscribers included the Japan-Australia Cultural Exchange Association which contributes to the Monarto plantings. Significant contributors to the program also include Acer Computers Australia which has now funded two planting sites, Satisfac Credit Union which makes a monthly donation and a small TFL member collective which has fully funded two sites.

I’d like to thank the program staff and volunteers, in particular Dennis Hayles who ably coordinates land management and planting schedules and David Hein for managing and coordinating the direct seeding.

Carmel Dundon,Carbon Neutral Manager

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PROGRAM GRANTSCommonwealth of Australia: Caring for Our Country - CoastcareState Government of South Australia through the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges, Northern Yorke and Murray Darling Basin NRM BoardsPROJECT GRANTSAMLR NRM Board small grants programCoopers FoundationCommonwealth of Australia: Grants for Voluntary Environment and Heritage OrgsETSA FoundationFosters Community GrantNative Vegetation Council Significant Environmental Benefits GrantsNative Vegetation Council Heritage Agreements GrantsOffice of VolunteersSBS FoundationSGIC Community Help ProgramTrust Philanthropic GrantSTRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPSAcer ComputersAboriginal Lands TrustAdelaide Hills, Alexandrina, Barossa, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, Light Regional, Mallala, Mid Murray and Wakefield Regional CouncilsBlackwood Golf CourseCarbon Neutral LtdThe Cities of Adelaide, Burnside, Marion, Mitcham, Murray Bridge, Onkaparinga, Playford, Pt Adelaide and Enfield, Tea Tree Gully and Victor HarborDept of Transport, Energy and InfrastructureDistrict Council of Mt BarkerElectraNetGreen Ochre EnvironmentalPort Adelaide Football ClubSatisfac Credit UnionSA Urban Forest Biodiversity ProgramSA WaterTown of GawlerOffice of Recreation and SportUnited Water

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rtsCommunications with bushcarers have also

been revamped with the publication of the bi-annual newsletter “The Bushcarer” focussing on technical issues. Greater emphasis has been given to creating local opportunities for volunteers (particularly entrants) in supervised group activities and a brochure of forthcoming activities published quarterly during the field season.Consolidating support for the program and its funding with local government partners has also been a major focus in the past year, with some councils committing substantial resourcs to the partnership, while others are finding it more difficult, seeing it as the role of the NRM boards.

Thank you to all staff and volunteers for a successful year.

Mark EllisManager Bush For Life

PROGRAM: Bush For Life

The last financial year has been one of significant changes to the Bush For Life program. We are confindent confident these changes will put the program in better shape for the long term. A period of funding uncertainty together with some long term staff members moving on gave us the opportunity to look strategically at our resources and how we support volunteers.

Regional Coordinators’ territories have been redefined to correspond to council boundaries and casual positions have been converted into defined part-time roles, enabling a closer connection to project partners and involvement in the program’s directions. The existing positions of BAT Coordinator and BFL Support Officer have been refocussed on a wider role in coordinating all group activities and the volunteer recruitment process. The Northern Operations Manager position was re-aligned as a job share position with one focussing on Regional Coordinator Support and the other taking a role in supporting outlying sites on the Yorke Peninsula and mid-North.

With increasing emphasis by funding bodies on projects that address regional biodiversity priorities we undertook a strategic review of all 330 BFL sites. Eight criteria related to biological diversity, volunteer suitability, volunteer activity and other site issues have been used in discussions with project partners on which sites to prioritise, swap or discontinue.

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portThis has certainly been a challenging year.

Thankfully we have a team that has been able to respond positively and professionally. Perhaps more importantly and, as I reported last year, “our organisation’s foundations are strong and we continue to hold firm to our core values of volunteerism, technical excellence and diversity”. This past year Trees For Life’s resolve has been seriously tested and not been found wanting.

The first half of the year was particularly stressful after we learnt that our application for federal Caring for Our Country funding for the Bush For Life program had been unsuccessful. This not only posed a serious threat to the program’s survival but also negated a huge amount of work spent preparing our application. In December we asked members to approach state and federal elected members asking them to lobby on TFL’s behalf. The response was overwhelming; the membership, politicians of various persuasions and community representatives made overtures on our behalf.

Success at the federal level, however, was not forthcoming and further disappointment was to come in response to another round of Caring for Our Country grants later in the year. We have, however, received positive support at the state level from the Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill MP, and especially the Adelaide

Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board. Fortunately Bush For Life’s contribution to the management and enhancement of native vegetation in the Adelaide Hills and beyond was eventually acknowledged with good financial backing.

Not only did we find out who our real friends are through this period but we learnt a few more lessons besides. The strength of the Trees For Life brand and its membership base, the fighting qualities of the CEO and her management group and the dedication of the staff were all put to the test and “came up trumps”. We were obliged to cut costs, some staff voluntarily reduced hours and we all worked a bit smarter. For the first time since I became involved with the organisation we also used our not inconsiderable political muscle to positive effect. This customarily would not be our preferred course of action but in this instance we were convinced that the situation warranted it. On behalf of the Board my thanks to all involved; the support of members, staff and community representatives is greatly appreciated.

We cannot, however, overlook the fact that we are in difficult financial times. Whilst it would seem that the Global Financial Crisis might not be biting as deeply in Australia as elsewhere, its impact is not to be under-estimated. The public sector is subject to continuing budget cuts,

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2008/9 was another successful year for the Tree Scheme with 841,900 seedlings grown for revegetation throughout South Australia. This brings the total to date to 28,400,000 plants over the life of the Tree Scheme.

Orders for 2008/9 comprised 729,700 seedlings ordered by landholders, 60,000 for revegetation projects and 52,200 for backup.

The Tree Scheme provides a unique service offering seedlings in 42 zones and 1500 combinations of species and provenance, a remarkable achievement made possible by TFL’s extensive seedbank and the volunteer grower system. The volunteer growers receive their propagation supplies via a network of 50 depots throughout SA all run by volunteers.

The new position of Volunteer Grower Coordinator proved valuable in offering increased support to the growers. Unfortunately the first incumbent left for another position but will be replaced before propagation begins again in November.

At TFL’s Westwood Nursery we raised approximately 37,800 seedlings for revegetation Projects, and received and managed 77,000 volunteer grown seedlings.

We are indebted to our dedicated nursery volunteers Kevin McCormack, Noel Kelly, John Tagliaferri, Peter Bansemer, Lyn and Tony Spence.

Maureen Redfern,Tree Scheme Manager

PROGRAM: Seedbank

Another steady year is probably the best way to describe the 2008/9 operation of the seedbank. We have been fortunate to retain the same eight seedbank volunteers that we had a year ago. Four of the volunteers have been working in the seedbank for more than a decade.

The smooth running of the seedbank is thanks to the efforts of Graham Garfoot, Mark Symons, Lois Moore, Judy Bateman, Mary Taylor, Roger Brown, Jane Noble and Terry Wollaston.

Over the year eight seed collection workshops were offered, but a couple had to be cancelled due to low bookings. Overall attendances have been less than they were a few years ago.The vagaries of the weather and nature mean that each year some species produce abundant quantities of seed, while others ‘take a break’ from seed production.

Planning ahead can minimise problems, and thanks to all the volunteer collectors who sent in seed. However, over the last year we had difficulty obtaining sufficient Rhagodia seed to match the Tree Scheme orders. In the end it all worked out and just one substitution of landholder orders was necessary.

With the growth of the direct seeding program, more than half of the seed in the seedbank is committed to that program. It has been pleasing that revegetation planned through the Tree Scheme, Direct Seeding or Carbon Neutral Programs has not been restricted by lack of suitable seed.

Bruce Smith,Seedbank Manager

local government is under pressure and the corporate sector is examining its costs ever more closely. For Trees For Life this presents many challenges. Not only is the budgetary situation increasingly tight we are also in a very competitive environment. Ironically there are increasing calls for partnerships and collaboration at the same time as we find ourselves competing for funds with government agencies, other non-government organisations and even the peak environmental organisation here in SA, the Conservation Council.

Notwithstanding all of the foregoing I can report that by year’s end Trees For Life managed to carry forward a small surplus. Both the CEO and Treasurer will provide more detail in their reports but I have pleasure in announcing an increase in income of just under 7% this year.

During the year we revisited the Strategic Plan with an emphasis upon the quality and focus of existing programs. The Board is concerned about some of the bigger strategic challenges and dealing less with organisational detail than hitherto. During the year a mixed group of staff, volunteers and Board members worked with our corporate design sponsors Fusion evaluating the Trees For Life brand and exploring ways in which we can better promote the organisation. To that end our own 30-second promotional DVD

has been produced and shown regularly on SBS television, we have increased our involvement with the Port Power football club in a community partnership and there has been greater engagement with schools and schoolchildren.

There continues to be much change and uncertainty in the debate over carbon and emissions and various policy options at the political level. Accordingly our Carbon Neutral program presents both opportunities and significant challenges. We remain determined, regardless of the political twists and turns, to maintain a program that has credibility and integrity. Our revegetation efforts have been supported financially by 55 businesses and 62 individual subscribers to the Carbon Neutral program.

Our more traditional programs continue to flourish. Despite adverse drought conditions our Direct Seeding activities have expanded and reflect a widespread realisation that more revegetation is essential in redressing some of the environmental ills. The Tree Scheme continues to provide a strong community base to our activities, promoting involvement of families and the all-important link between city and country. Bush For Life despite funding difficulties continues to develop into a recognised environmental benchmark in its own right.

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Fusion is an innovation agency that helps organisations connect people to their brands. Their talented design team developed the current look of our quarterly publication ReLeaf.

Now in its 3rd year, we continue to enjoy and benefit for our relationship with Fusion, and the new-look ReLeaf has provided a crisp, uncluttered and informative publication that has been well received by our 10,000 members, sponsors and interested members of the public via community outlets such as libraries and councils.

Fusion has also assisted Trees For Life in undertaking a brand awareness process that has provided us with a clear focus on how we can effectively communicate our core messages to encourage members and volunteers to participate more in our programs.

Fusion take a multidisciplinary approach to a singular passion - creating experiences that people love.

above: Fusion Partner, Gavin Klose

We are currently working hard to convince local councils to increase their financial contribution towards the stewardship of their Bush For Life sites following the shortfall in our government funding.

In concluding I want to record that despite some very serious challenges Trees For Life remains healthy. I remain confident because we have a membership that is the envy of most community organisations, a Board with diverse talents and commitment to the organisation, an outstanding CEO and excellent staff. Carmel Dundon has been re-appointed for a further three years in acknowledgment of her positive and creative leadership and in anticipation of a further period of growth and achievement. By her own example she encourages staff to embrace change and take advantage of opportunities. On behalf of the Board I thank Carmel and the staff for their hard work throughout the year.

My thanks also to my Board colleagues for their commitment and support. We have experienced trying times and continue to work to improve our level of performance. The input and endeavour shown by individual members is impressive given their various commitments. Collectively, I believe, we have continued to position Trees For Life to achieve its objectives whilst enhancing robustness and durability.

All in all we have a thoroughly committed, professional and practical organisation which continues to raise its performance to meet the continual challenges.

Finally my thanks to the membership, our volunteers and supporters who remain the backbone of this great organisation and ensure we remain true to our core values and objectives. Let me assure you all that Trees For Life is well-positioned and sufficiently robust to survive, grow and prosper well into the future.

David MitchellPresidentOctober 2009

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etASSETS

Current AssetsChequing/Savings

21 · Adelaide Bank - Current Acc 150,811.8722 · Adelaide Bank - Cash At Call 36,539.3423 · ANZ Line of Credit -10,000.0026 · Adelaide Bank - Growing Fund 10,985.9828 · Adelaide Bank - Direct Cred 1,000.10

Total Chequing/Savings 189,337.29Accounts Receivable

36 · Trade Debtors 132,247.63Total Accounts Receivable 132,247.63Other Current Assets

44 · Sundry Debtors & Prepayments 3,597.96Total Other Current Assets 3,597.96

Total Current Assets 325,182.88Fixed Assets

32 · Plant & Equipment56 · Accum. Deprec - Motor Vehicles -4,200.9157 · Accum. Deprec - P&E -6,002.5932 · Plant & Equipment - Other 49,066.10

Total 32 · Plant & Equipment 38,862.6033 · Land & Buildings

55 · Acc. Deprec - Land & Buildings -25,000.0033 · Land & Buildings - Other 1,100,000.00

Total 33 · Land & Buildings 1,075,000.00Total Fixed Assets 1,113,862.60Other Assets

24 · Term Deposits 10,630.0031 · Stock on Hand 8,001.18

Total Other Assets 18,631.18TOTAL ASSETS 1,457,676.66LIABILITIES

Current LiabilitiesAccounts Payable

39 · Trade Creditors 45,402.87Total Accounts Payable 45,402.87Credit Cards

58 · Adelaide Bank - VB09 RB 55.56Total Credit Cards 55.56Other Current Liabilities

Provision for Leave7 · Long Service Leave Prov. 80,289.068 · Annual Leave Prov. 67,321.29

Total Provision for Leave 147,610.352200 · Tax Payable 32,969.3937 · 3rd Party Funds in Trust -1,000.0038 · Income Received in Advance 242,742.0643 · Interest Free Loans 30,000.0060 · Superannuation Payable 12,418.2061 · PAYG Payable 12,378.00

Total Other Current Liabilities 477,118.00Total Current Liabilities 522,576.43

TOTAL LIABILITIES 522,576.43NET ASSETS 935,100.23

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CEO

’s re

port The last twelve months have been both

interesting and challenging. A highlight of the year has been the strengthening of our relationship with the State Government, the NRM Boards and local councils to maintain support for the conservation work undertaken by our skilled and dedicated volunteers. In trying financial times it is heartening to see the high value placed on conservation and biodiversity management by our government partners and their acknowledgement and appreciation of the works carried out by our volunteer bush carers.

Last year also saw further consolidation of our relationship with SA Water and ElectraNet to achieve significant revegetation and conservation outcomes. Once again our volunteers and nursery staff grew 30,000 seedlings for the Urban Forest One Million Trees program. Each year these seedlings are planted in and around the city and suburbs, providing much needed biodiversity in Adelaide. Along the Murray, we are working to revegetate four properties under the State’s River Murray Forest program.

Members and volunteers continue to be the heart and soul of Trees For Life and it was wonderful to witness the enthusiasm and passion expressed in letters and phone calls to various politicians when our federal funding was withdrawn. It is always inspiring to see what our volunteers have been able to achieve, through visiting their bush sites, taking a tour of their revegetated properties or being on hand when seedlings are delivered to the nursery.

Our members are justifiably proud of what they have done for South Australia.

Each year more and more people are realising it is easy to do something practical to help. Some volunteer. Others support our vision through membership and donations. While our total membership remains relatively steady, individual members come and go. This year many of our non financial members (most of whom are volunteers) chose to convert to financial membership and we thank them for the additional support. Our Visionary program is going from strength to strength as people Australia wide are committing to regular donations to support the work of Trees For Life.

In June we had pleasure in hosting a social function for our many and various sponsors. The event provided the Board an opportunity to meet our corporate supporters and to hear why they have chosen to support us and to thank them on behalf of the membership. A highlight of the evening was the announcement by SA Water of a further three years support as major sponsor.

This year we said goodbye to two long term staff, Andrew Allanson and Garry Forrest, who both made significant contributions to the development and success of Trees For Life; Andrew through the creation of Bush For Life and Garry through the development of the Bush Action Teams. At the same time we have welcomed several new staff keen and committed to take on the new and exciting challenges that lay ahead.

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portTrees For Life has recorded a surplus of

$69,678 for the 2008/09 year. Our budget for the year was a surplus of $30,000.The surplus was achieved on an increase in revenue of 6.7% and a marginal fall in expenditure.

The financial position of Trees For Life has improved significantly during the year. Whilst our cash reserves have fallen, we have paid off all but $10,000 of the line of credit established to assist with the relocation to Brooklyn Park.

As members may be aware, the year was a challenging one due to the lack of support given to environmental organisations by the Federal Government through the Caring for Our Country funding. The removal of funding resulted in many of our programs and expenditure plans having to be temporarily deferred or reduced. However due to some major funding being made available to us through the AMLR NRM Board, we were able to reinstate many programs and achieve our budget targets.

The table on page 12 sets out our major sources of income. Whilst grants remain a major component of our funding, Trees For Life has been making excellent progress on increasing our income from other sources to enable us to place less reliance on grant monies.

For the 2009/10 year, we are again budgeting for a surplus of $30,000 which includes a reduction in grants of approximately $100,000. Our major challenge for next year is to look at ways to fund or finance the replacement of our outdated and inadequate computer software.

Thank you to the Board and staff, especially Cecile and Kate, for their good work and support this year.

David BradleyTreasurerOctober 2009

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Developing our paid and volunteer workforce remains a priority for us and we have increased the resources we expend on professional development and training opportunities for our staff and members. Keeping everyone safe is also a high priority and to that end the OHSW Committee has completed a review of all procedures and practices and commissioned an external audit to ensure we are providing a safe workplace at all times.

Planning work has also been done ahead of the introduction of the new Australian Workplace Awards which come into effect on 1 January 2010 and on the selection and testing of possible new database system platforms. The database project will be one of the major works undertaken next financial year and when complete will increase efficiency and expand our options for both communications and for better tracking of our environmental performance.

In addition to our annual review of the Strategic Plan, this year we completed our first formal Marketing Plan and undertook a facilitated ‘branding’ workshop to test whether our communications were consistent with our core purpose. As a result, we are in the process of reviewing all our written communications and revising our marketing and promotional material to be clearer and more simply stated.

This year we have finally recovered financially from the impact of purchasing and renovating our new premises and we are on track to rebuilding our depleted cash reserves.

To have achieved this in such a difficult year, marked by funding uncertainty and the global financial crisis, is a credit to the program managers and staff who were quick to respond to the prospect of diminishing income by making immediate reductions in expenditure. I particularly want to thank the staff who reduced their working hours to assist.

Trees For Life is particularly blessed in its paid workforce and I would like to warmly thank the staff for their dedication and support.

The Board of Management, under the very dedicated leadership of David Mitchell has continued to be a major source of guidance and support for me and I thank every member for their personal commitment as your representatives in meeting the aims for which Trees For Life was founded.

I would like to thank both new and ongoing Trees For Life members for helping to drive the organisation forward through continued participation in conservation and revegetation projects. Together with the Board and staff we have sustained a vision for a richer and healthier environment in South Australia. The results of our work are there for all to see.

We look forward with enthusiasm to the coming year knowing that whatever the challenges ahead, we have a very strong and dedicated membership behind us.

Carmel DundonChief Executive OfficerOctober 2009

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Tree Scheme 2009 2008 2007

Total landholder ordering 1,557 1,621 1,590

Total number of volunteer Tree Scheme Growers (ex GYO) 1,026 1,134 1,197

Total number of volunteer growers including GYO 1,720 1,854 1,911

Seedlings for landholders 729,700 738,750 760,600

Back up seedlings grown for 22 zones 52,200 51,850 50,950

Seedlings grown for project orders and direct seeding sites 60,000 123,800 68,050

Total seedlings grown 841,900 914,400 879,600

Direct Seeding

Kilometres sown 548 383 376

Hectares sown 219 153 150

Approximate Number of plants 175,338 122,634 120,320

No of private landholder sites 14 13 25

No of government project sites 4 3 0

No of business project sites 5 2 2

No of carbon offset sites 7 6 1

Seed Collection and Processing

TS seed Collection days 13 11 10

TS seed collection volunteers 50 50 60

TS seed collection volunteer hours 400 400 500

Seedbank seed processing volunteers 8 8 7

Seedbank seed processing volunteer hours 1,250 1,250 1,200

Bush For Life

Number of hectares under BFL management 4,152 4,047 2,365

Number of Bush For Life sites 330 334 319

Number of BFL volunteers 753 759 630

Number of BFL volunteer on BFL sites hours 24,338 26,030 21,186

Community Members trained 226 233 240

Volunteers undertaking advanced training 57 77 121

Program partners - local government 20 20 20

BFL Organised Group Activities

Number of BAT volunteer days 553 458 461

Number of BAT on site activities (inc. extended BATs) 60 51 55

Number of BAT volunteer hours 4,350 4,094 3,232

Number of Bush Management Days 92 11

Number of BMD volunteer hours 1,879 269

Carbon Neutral

Tonnes CO2 offset 10,027 12,238 3,960

No. of trees grown 74,000 73,875 23,760

Hectares carbon pool established 72 86 24

Business subscribers 55 53 26

Individual subscribers 62 95 88

Volunteer Planting Teams activity

Number of member sites planted 10 9 9

Number of tubestock planted 4,172 4,760 4,660

Number of volunteers commitments over season 133 108 143

Number of Volunteer Hours: 369 302 429

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activ

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2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

actual actual actual actual actual

Income

SUBSCRIPTIONS 160,815 183,770 218,703 228,626 201,835

FUNDRAISING 291,906 633,349 300,091 315,592 339,777

SPONSORSHIP 81,921 86,473 87,113 75,623 121,787

FEES 310,561 357,135 399,107 637,189 725,575

GRANTS 339,775 757,515 552,226 580,643 653,607

PROJECTS 125,121 15,000 26,500 42,419 82,886

OTHER RECEIPTS 37,158 51,569 59,516 148,785 38,633

Total Income 1,347,257 2,084,811 1,643,256 2,028,877 2,164,100

Expense

A. NEWSLETTER 27,132 24,384 27,708 31,362 34,250

B. FUNDRAISING 8,947 11,012 23,540 82,221 81,890

C. SPONSORSHIP 2,167 2,224 1,729 2,533 2,969

D. PUBLICITY 45,740 29,418 32,387 65,380 55,535

E. WAGES 836,275 928,332 1,089,725 1,302,300 1,346,700

F. OTHER ADMINISTRATION 127,459 206,588 231,846 219,127 77,072

H. CONTRACTORS 35,143 40,602 37,577 50,007 36,663

J. PROPERTY EXPENSES 0 15,280 177,446 57,247 66,142

K. EQUIPMENT EXPENSES 57,008 47,026 82,848 45,249 74,397

L. SEED 28,498 12,101 13,876 19,479 5,136

M. SUPPLIES & SERVICES 131,866 133,920 153,578 224,502 313,667

Total Expenditure 1,300,235 1,450,887 1,872,260 2,099,408 2,094,421

Net Income 47022 633924 -229004 -70531 69,680

TFL Sources of income

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

corporate government local govt individuals

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

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SPONSOR: SA Water

This year we are pleased to announce that SA Water has confirmed a 3 year commitment to support the funding of the Tree Scheme program.

In securing this 3 year financial contribution, Trees For Life now knows that it can continue to offer landholders across the state the opportunity to purchase extremely low cost provenance seedlings to revegetate their properties thanks to SA Water.

The Tree Scheme is the reason Trees For Life began back in 1981, when a group of concerned individuals realised that the continued and excessive removal of our native vegetation would have a severe impact on the sustainability of our land. Landholders needed to be encouraged to revegetate with native plants. It was through this need that landholders were offered low cost seedlings grown by volunteers to meet this objective.

Since its inception in 1981 Tree Scheme has provided the means for an average of million seedlings to be grown annually for landholders and planting projects across the State. The program provides a means for city and suburban individuals, groups and families to make a contribution back to the rural sector.

SA Water has recognised the value of this program, and that native trees and shrubs play a vital part towards the environmental sustainability of South Australia. This partnership between SA Water and TFL addresses SA Water’s objective to ‘provide a sustainable and secure water supply for the community and minimise our impact on the environment’.

above: SA Water CEO, Anne Howe