25,000 seedlings planted at Raukkan

Last month, 25,000 locally native seedlings were planted at Raukkan on Ngarrindjeri Ruwe (Country), marking an important first step in a much longer restoration journey.

This work is part of a community-led vision to care for Country, support the recovery of degraded landscapes and create places where nature, culture and community can thrive together.

The planting brought two connected projects to life. Across the wider landscape, 23,500 seedlings were planted to begin the long-term restoration of 20 hectares of degraded Mallee Eucalyptus woodland. Nearby, another 1,500 seedlings were used to establish a Community Pocket Forest designed with the Raukkan community.

The Community Pocket Forest began long before planting day. Over the past few months, we spent time with the Aboriginal Lands Trust Raukkan Rangers and community Elders, listening to what they wanted the space to become. Rather than arriving with a predetermined design, our role was to support a vision created by the community.

Elder Aunty Betty Sumner captured that vision in a sketch drawn on the back of a Ute. Inspired by the Ngarrindjeri shield, her design reflects culture, identity and connection to Country.

Over two days, our team worked alongside the Raukkan Rangers and The Forktree Project to plant 1,500 locally native seedlings. The Rangers will continue caring for the forest as it establishes and help shape the surrounding space over time. Future stages will build on the community’s vision for a place where people can gather, camp and strengthen their connection to Country.

At the same time, 23,500 locally native seedlings were planted across the nearby regional restoration site. This is the beginning of a long-term effort to restore 20 hectares of degraded Mallee Eucalyptus woodland. As the seedlings establish and the project develops, the restoration will help increase biodiversity, create habitat for native wildlife and support the recovery of the landscape. The Forktree Project grew all 25,000 seedlings using locally collected seed, helping ensure the plants are suited to the conditions at Raukkan.

Although the two projects differ in scale, they are part of the same shared vision: restoration led by community knowledge, supported by strong partnerships and grounded in a long-term commitment to Country. Planting the seedlings is an exciting milestone, but it is only the beginning.

Please donate today and help us continue to work alongside communities to restore landscapes, create habitat and establish thriving green spaces for generations to come.