National Tree Day (Sunday 31 July 2022) is a day for all of us to unite and give back to the community and the land on which we live. In celebration of this important occasion, we’re so pleased to share how we’re making a difference in our community and for our environment through our annual Tree Planting Days and Make A Difference Days.
Through our Make A Difference Days, our staff can lend a hand to a cause close to their heart with two paid days off annually. This year, our team rolled up their sleeves to help plant trees with Greenfleet across sites in Grandchester (QLD), Kinglake (VIC) and Kurnell (NSW).
Smartgroup’s partnership with Greenfleet stretches back to 2008, when we launched a carbon offset program for our novated leasing customers. For about the cost of a tank of fuel each year, customers can offset their car’s annual emissions, with funds facilitating the planting of native trees in some of Australia’s most important – and endangered – ecological zones.
So far, customers have funded the planting of over two million trees – some, which were planted by our very own team members.
Here’s also a closer look at some of the areas we helped to revegetate in 2021.
Aroona, Queensland
In late April, the Smartgroup team helped plant over 1,300 trees on this working cattle property, south west of Brisbane. Revegetation work began in 2019, with the goal of restoring biodiversity and wildlife habitat with shrubs and trees native to the area.
Bonna Point Reserve, New South Wales
Restoring wildlife habitat is one of many benefits of revegetation. And for our threatened species, it’s critical.
Near the end of the planting season in May, Smartgroup’s team of volunteers joined Greenfleet and the Sutherland Shire Council to revegetate Bonna Point Reserve, an hour’s drive south of Sydney.
More than 1,400 native trees were planted, which will not only help restore this area of ecological importance but provide habitat for endangered shorebirds. We’d like to thank our team of Smartgroup volunteers, Greenfleet, and our novated leasing customers who subscribe to the Carbon Offset Program, reducing their carbon footprints and helping to protect our precious environment.
Learn more about our Carbon Offset Program and the difference our leasing customer are making here.