TREAT for Trees

Some years ago a few members of the community, realizing the predicament of deforestation on the Tablelands decided to form a tree planting group, TREAT 'Trees for Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands'. This has developed into a thriving community venture with the help of expert Queensland Parks and Wildlife personnel. On any Friday morning over the year up to 70 members volunteer at the Eacham tree nursery, re-potting small trees and undertaking planting as well as enjoying tea and cake and plant talks.
Major Projects include creating wildlife corridors along creeks, such as Toohay’s Creek which connects Lake Barrine with the Gadgarra State Forest. This had been denuded through clearance and grazing, but the landowner was keen to encourage biodiversity. For this project 20,000 trees of 101 species, were planted in a 1.2 mile ribbon. Within 5 years there was significant growth and new plant species had moved in. Furthermore a population of smaller mammals sprang up in the middle with genetic traits showing they had adventurous parents who had travelled from either end to meet up.