An innovative project initiated by Forestry Tasmania was officially launched today by the Minister for Energy and Resources, Bryan Green, at the Tasmanian Arboretum near Devonport.
The Trees on Farms project is an innovative tree planting project initiated by Forestry Tasmania in partnership with Private Forests Tasmania that operates as a joint venture between Forestry Tasmania and landowners.
Through the project, Forestry Tasmania establishes tree plantations on farmland at no cost to the landowner, who in return protects the growing trees from livestock and after 15 to 20 years the trees are harvested and the profits shared 70:30 between Forestry Tasmania and the landowner.
The project delivers significant benefits to farmers which include:
Furthermore, planting trees on farms is an ideal way for farmers to assist offset carbon emissions through the storage of carbon in trees planted on their land.
The project is a great opportunity to increase carbon sequestration by encouraging farmers to plant trees on agricultural land and allows them to play a part in the fight against climate change.
The launch coincided with the delivery of 1,100 blue gum seedlings to the Tasmanian Arboretum to assist in providing habitat for the threatened swift parrot.
The seedlings, which were grown at Forestry Tasmania’s Nursery and Seed Centre at Perth for the Trees on Farms project, will be planted by volunteers to create foraging habitat at the Tasmanian Arboretum for the swift parrot.
The Tasmanian Arboretum generously dedicated three hectares of newly acquired land around the Eugenana State Reserve for this purpose.
The land is ideal habitat for the swift parrot as it is located behind a recorded swift parrot breeding site – Kelcey Tier and is close to the coast.
Branchline, June 18, 2010
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