Noosa and District Landcare planted approximately 500 trees this week to offset the carbon produced during last year’s Noosa Biosphere Day.

The Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa has donated 100 of these plants as part of their support of the Noosa Biosphere and their aspirations to become a more environmentally friendly organisation.

Mr Stephen Ferrigno, General Manager at the Sheraton Noosa, realises that the resort is part of the community and here for the long term so wishes to involve the company with local conservation efforts.

“We have already reduced our water, power and waste through our involvement with the Ecobiz program and this is another way we can show our concern by helping to maintain Noosa’s natural beauty and being mindful of the environment,” said Mr Ferrigno.

The trees can be seen planted on Park Road adjacent to the popular Noosa National Park and species planted include bottle brush, cyprus pine, wallum banksia and lemon scented myrtle.

Mr Phillip Moran, Natural Resource Manager at Noosa and District Landcare, believes this is a great option for organisations to adopt if they wish to see results locally.

“Donating money locally to Landcare to offset carbon caused by any size of event means that organisations are giving back to the community and environment in which they exist,” said Mr Moran.

“Previously this piece of land was riddled with weeds and nine months of clearing has prepared the site for promising growth.”

It is hoped that with a partnership with Sunshine Coast Council, Noosa and District Landcare can progressively remove more weeds along this strip of land between Noosa National Park and Hastings Street.

“Visitors and locals will now be able to enjoy the native flora at the entrance to the National Park knowing that it has been planted for conservation purposes.”

Noosa & District Landcare is working in partnership with Energex, and Ecofund Queensland on two more sites in the hinterland to offset carbon with a target of 22 hectares to be planted over the next couple of years.

Noosa & District Landcare is also working in partnership with DEEDI [Dept of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation] and Qld Parks and Wildlife Service to repair parts of our National Parks that have been damaged by the recent floods.

This program, called a Green Army program, helps upskill and employ long term unemployed people to repair tracks, plant trees and kill weeds in National Parks.

It is also a way to assist these people back into the workplace, whilst giving the Parks Rangers a much needed helping hand.

To understand more about offsetting carbon on behalf of your organisation or business and the conservation efforts in your area please visit www.noosalandcare.org.

L:R Phil Moran, Stephen Ferrigno and Michael Donovan (Chair Noosa Biosphere Ltd).