Up to 934,000 trees will be planted to help restore the South Australian bush and its wildlife, after the state secured $3.2 million in projects under the next round of the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees programme.

“The six major projects announced today will change landscapes for the better, from the coastal vegetation at the Murray mouth to critical habitats of the Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island,” Minister Hunt said.

“They will also benefit the native animals and plants that live there, including threatened species such as the Mount Lofty Southern Emu-wren and endangered ecosystems such as the Peppermint Box Woodlands.”

“Improving habitat is a key action area under Australia’s first Threatened Species Strategy, and we’re delivering on that target by restoring and reconnecting our native vegetation.”

The 20 Million Trees Programme is re-establishing green corridors and urban forests across Australia, increasing and improving habitat for our threatened species and creating green spaces to improve the liveability of our cities and towns.

“One project will see more than 71,400 trees planted from Goolwa to Wellington to connect critical habitat for the Mount Lofty Emu-wren and Malleefowl,” Mr Pasin said.

“Another South Australian project will see 373,000 trees planted from Murray to Mallee, to create landscape vegetation linkages for preservation of threatened species and habitat enhancement.”

“This will help to increase available breeding habitat for Malleefowl and feeding habitat for the Regent Parrot.”

Today’s announcements form part of the Australian Government’s latest $8 million down payment on large-scale tree planting projects that will deliver up to 2.5 million of the programme’s target of 20 million trees across the country.

Under the Programme, the Australian Government has engaged three service providers to deliver large-scale tree planting projects across Australia. The service providers are CO2 Australia, Greening Australia and Landcare Australia Limited.

Further information and the full list of service provider and competitive grants projects funded under the 20 Million Trees Programme is available at www.nrm.gov.au/20-million-trees.