Plant a Tree for Jubilee

By Sonya Gifford, GIA Member Engagement and Partnerships Manager
 

In 2022, community-based tree planting events will be held across Australia to mark the Jubilee (70 years of service) of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Planting Trees for The Queen's Jubilee (the program) will run over 3 years across 2021-22 to 2023-24, providing up to $15.1 million of grant funding to eligible groups and organisations for community-based tree planting events.

The objective of the program is to mark the significant occasion of Her Majesty's Jubilee through community tree planting events across Australia. The program also intends to:

• Increase community awareness and celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee
• Create a legacy of tree plantings across the nation
• Increase and/or enhance the area of tree canopy.

The program complements other initiatives occurring across the Commonwealth to mark The Queen's Jubilee, such as the tree planting initiative in the United Kingdom which is inviting people to "Plant a Tree for the Jubilee".

Community consultation is a critical element of the program. In consultation with their community, each Federal Member of Parliament (MP) must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant. Invited applications will be assessed against the program’s eligibility criteria through a closed non-competitive process.

Each electorate has total funding of up to $100,000 that can be allocated to successful applications. A maximum of 10 projects will be funded in each electorate ranging from $2,500 to $20,000.

How you can get involved

Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA) has been in contact with the ‘Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee' program team to see how our industry can support this program through our growers and retailers.

The program team have advised that whilst there are no formal preferred supplier arrangements, all successful projects, including details of the funded organisations will be published on GrantConnect.

Interested growers and retailers are also encouraged to contact your local federal member and highlight your interest and ability to supply regionally-appropriate Australian native or non-native tree species with a potential height of at least 2 metres when mature to those community groups participating in the program. You can search for your local federal member’s contact details on the Parliament of Australia website.

Growers and retailers are also encouraged to promote their products, services and plant advice to councils, schools, local community and environment groups who have a history of or may become involved in the program.

If you have any more questions about how you might participate in this program, please feel free to contact me at sonya.gifford@greenlifeindustry.com.au or 0476 002 219.