An initiative designed to support tree planting and land rehabilitation has been launched with an initial donation of over $13,000 presented to local land managers.
The ‘Trees for Tourism Garden’ pitch is a joint campaign led by Tourism Noosa, Noosa Council and Noosa and District Landcare which also aims to cut carbon emissions and to protect and enhance the habitats of local koala populations.
The launch saw a donation of $13,151 presented to Noosa and District Landcare general manager Phil Moran.
“This outstanding initiative shows that tourism and the environment are not mutually exclusive,” said Moran.
“Noosa Landcare applauds the foresight of the tourism sector to tangibly contribute to improving our natural environment here in Noosa.”
In attendance at the launch also were representatives of Ironman and the Noosa Food and Wine Festival. Participants, spectators and visitors to both events contributed to the initial donation via a gold coin contribution which was supported further by Tourism Noosa members at recent networking nights.
A specially planted garden marking the initiative has been set aside on Noosa Parade in the Nancy Cato Park, with participants in the Noosa Triathlon and Runaway Noosa fun runs passing by on the course.
Tourism Noosa environment and sustainability manager Juanita Bloomfield said the Trees for Tourism campaign was devised to find a way for events to contribute environmentally to the local community while already doing so much for the region socially and economically.
“Event Organisers of the Noosa Triathlon, IRONMAN and the Noosa Food & Wine Festival were the first two events to support Trees for Tourism and now all events sponsored by Tourism Noosa will provide $1 per participant to the program.”
