New reporting shows the Commonwealth has over-delivered on its adventurous bid to plant 20 million trees in six years, with figures showing almost thirty million trees have been established.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley visited the shores of Lake Hume (near Albury) today to announce that the program had seen over 2,500 species of trees planted and more than 29,508,062 individual trees established.
"Despite periods of lengthy drought, bushfires and flood, the program has re-established critical habitat which will sustain native species and sequester an estimated average 1.47 to 2.95 million tonnes CO2 over the next decade," Minister Ley said.
"The program is a tribute to six years of hard work from communities and volunteers who have been at the heart of its success.
"Here at Lake Hume and Lake Mulwala local groups established a total of 18,000 trees, including more than 10,500 overstorey trees and over 7,000 understorey plants.
"The Morrison Government is continuing to invest in rehabilitating natural habitats and in revegetation activities, through the National Landcare Program and the $200 million bushfire recovery program for native wildlife and habitat.
"At the same time the 20 million trees program has inspired further large-scale tree planting programs, driven by private enterprise."
AstraZeneca's 'AZ Forest' is one global initiative aiming to plant 25 million trees in locations around Australia to support threatened species and habitat connectivity.
Read the 20 Million Trees Program review at: https://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/land/publications/20-million-trees-program-review
Fast facts:
- As at 30 June 2021, the program has planted over 2,500 species of trees and 29,508,062 individual trees have been established.
- The program has revegetated more than 30,000 hectares of land and treated 17,958 hectares for weeds.
- 96,654 people have participated in project activities as volunteers and 141 Indigenous people have been employed through the program in ranger and non-ranger positions.
- It is estimated the program could sequester on average 1.47 to 2.95 million tonnes CO2 over the decade from 2021 to 2030, based on trees planted to date.
