HotRock’s Seed2Tree program takes high school students on a fun and important learning journey to heal our precious land, wildlife and waterways
Every ecosystem on planet Earth is in decline. Climate change and non-sustainable agricultural practices account for a lot of this problem. The human race
needs to address this now.
Planting trees is an immediate and affordable solution.
Add the critical ingredient of educating the next generation and you have the Seed2Tree program.
Whether trees are planted on the east coast or west coast, north or south, we all share the same oxygen.
Make your contribution to this project today by selecting a reward on the right AND:
- Sign up to the HotRock newsletter at: www.thehotrock.org.au
- Like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/hotrockeducation
- Get in touch (for sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer your time): [email protected]
Donations are tax deductible. Corporate sponsorship is available.
SEED2TREE 2014
Our goal
Seed2Tree 2014 is aiming to work with thousands of high school students across 11 schools to plant
35,000 native trees in three rural locations in Western Australia. To do this we need your financial support to raise $105,000
to cover the program costs: propagation materials, transport, excursions, educational resources and staffing. The tipping point for this project is $35,000. With this amount we will plant as many trees as we can, but with fewer schools and in one location
only. See the use of funds in section below.
What Seed2Tree has already achieved
HotRock is a not-for-profit organisation working with high schools in WA and NSW since 2008 to connect young people to nature and integrate sustainability
education into all levels of the school from the school board to the classroom.
In 2012 HotRock launched Seed2Tree, and planted 15,000 trees with six schools in the Wheatbelt.
In 2013 the program was expanded, working with thousands of students from eleven partner schools to grow and plant 25,000 native seedlings on degraded farmland in Beverley, Boyup Brook, and Myalup (see map) over a series of successive
overnight camps.
See these planting sites highlighted on the Western Australian map below:
Every step of the journey has given our young participants tools and knowledge to meaningfully address today's environmental problems. The camps provide a transformative experience for students, who rejoice in being immersed
in nature and in their achievements.
They return home feeling happy and empowered about having made a meaningful contribution to their home – planet Earth.
Connecting with indigenous wisdom
On the overnight camp, students connect with local indigenous leaders, learning some of their stories and customs. For many students this is the first time that they have come into contact with authentic indigenous culture and
it is a highlight of the learning journey.
“Please get the smoke passing over your body, and don’t
be afraid of it...the smoke is about cleansing, and it’s about welcome to country, and then of
course after it you smell of smoke – to the spiritual world you smell
of country.”
– Oral McGuire
Seed2Tree outcomes
ENVIRONMENTAL
-Thousands of native plants from 40 different species grown and planted by students
- Habitat for migratory aquatic birdlife and endangered animals
- Salinity reversal and improvements in the water quality of our Swan and Avon rivers
- Tonnes of carbon dioxide sequestration
- Dune stabilisation
EDUCATIONAL
Values
- Personal responsibility - Active citizenship - Ethical consideration -
Being a part of the solution - Respect for Indigenous cultures
Skills
- Native seed germination - Monitoring and data collection - Teamwork -
Revegetation using seedlings and direct seeding
Knowledge
- Natural Resource Management - Climate change, land-clearing and dryland salinity -
Sustainable agriculture - Biodiversity, habitat loss, endangered species - Eutrophication and algal blooms - Indigenous history and notions
of custodianship - Unique Australian flora
Our partners for 2014 (this is a growing list):
- Greening Australia
- Yaraguia Enterprises Inc.
- The Blackwood Basin Group
- Lullfitz Nursery
- Geographe Community Landcare Nursery
- Richgro
Participating schools:
Leeming Senior High School, Lynwood Senior High School, John Wollaston Anglican
School, South Fremantle Senior High School, Manea Senior College, Bunbury Catholic College, Rossmoyne
Senior High School, Perth Waldorf School, Northam District High School, South Coast Baptist College
Testimonials from partner schools and students
"It is an honour and privilege to work with such a dedicated crew! This was not lost on our students either, many
of whom commented on how great it was to be around people who really lived by what they believe in.”
– Paddy Hocking, Teacher at Perth Waldorf School
"Seed2Tree has been really rewarding. It felt really great yesterday knowing how many trees we ended up planting. I didn’t think that we’d get to plant
that many...It makes me feel really special to be a part of doing something for the environment cos not many people do it now, it just feels special.”
– Jamie, Yr 9, John Wollaston Anglican School