World Environment Day: Bolton Clarke retirement living partners with Reforest
Aged care not-for-profit Bolton Clarke has expanded its support for Brisbane-based social enterprise Reforest with a new initiative contributing to the restoration of one of Queensland’s most endangered forest ecosystems.
The initiative – launched to mark World Environment Day on 5th June - will fund planting of a tree for every new resident welcomed into Bolton Clarke retirement living communities from 1 July.
It supports the Mabi Forest Restoration project on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland—one of the most endangered forest ecosystems in the state. Once cleared for agriculture and forestry, the land is now being carefully revegetated with endemic Mabi Forest species using best-practice restoration techniques.
Bolton Clarke Director of Operations Retirement Living, Jon Kirkman, said the decision to work with Reforest reflected a growing focus on sustainability among residents, who wanted to be part of positive change.
“Partnering with Reforest is a simple, practical way we can bring our sustainability commitment to life,” he said.
“We’ve already planted 193 trees in the Mabi forest this year – contributing to the restoration of 731 square metres of land - to recognise the contribution of every member of our retirement living team and the people who support them.
“Now, from July 1, we will build on that by planting a tree for every new resident who chooses to become a part of one of our vibrant retirement living communities across Australia.
“Each tree will help restore cleared land on the Atherton Tablelands using native species and proven restoration methods, rebuilding habitat for wildlife including species such as the Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo and strengthening the landscape for the future.
“It’s a small action, but an important one – a practical commitment that connects each new beginning with a lasting legacy.”
Reforest CEO Daniel Walsh said Bolton Clarke’s commitment through the project to celebrating residents in a way that also restored nature was a powerful example of how organisations could create meaningful local impact to benefit communities and the environment.
"Planting trees when residents enter their new homes represents a meaningful gesture to each new resident as well as measurable sustainability outcomes for the business, and I'm sure this program will create wonderful lasting legacy,” he said.
World Bolton Clarke’s retirement village residents are also making an impact after the announcement in March of a first of its kind statewide partnership with Containers for Change, with collection points installed across the organisation’s Queensland retirement villages.
The initiative has diverted more than 6,500 containers from landfill since installation of the first collection points in March, with the roll-out now complete statewide.
