Noosa’s event organisers have joined forces with Tourism Noosa, Noosa Council and Noosa and District Landcare to officially launch the Trees for Tourism Garden.
At the launch, a cheque for $13,151 was presented to Phil Moran, General Manager of Noosa and District Landcare, with the funds going towards supporting tree planting for land rehabilitation, carbon emission reduction and the protection and enhancement of koala habitat.
Since the launch of Trees for Tourism initiative last November, around 16 events in Noosa have raised money for the cause, including the Noosa Triathlon and the Noosa Food and Wine Festival donating $1 from each ticket sale.
Noosa District and Landcare Manager Phil Moran said that money raised will go towards projects including the Noosa Trail Network Revegetation Project to revegetate areas of the trail to address issues including erosion and land slips, lack of shade for walkers, the need for greater riparian buffers and to improve habitat for wildlife.
“This outstanding initiative shows that tourism and the environment are not mutually exclusive,” Phil said.
The location of the garden on Noosa Parade in the Nancy Cato Park has been specifically chosen as competitors in the Noosa Triathlon and Runaway Noosa marathon run past the park.
Tourism Noosa Environment and Sustainability Manager Juanita Bloomfield said, “Trees for Tourism was developed recognising the economic and social importance that events provide to the local community and our desire to find a way for events to give back environmentally.”
