8 Billion Trees is coming to Kangaroo Island

8 Billion Trees works with local communities to carry out tree planting and conservation operations, which help rebuild habitats for native animals, sequester carbon, and promote healthy landscapes throughout the world.

The organisation oversees planting operations in many countries, with the majority of its efforts focused in the Amazon rainforest.

They have worked in some of the most devastated areas where illegal logging and wildfires have accelerated the demise of native habitat, including in the Brazilian state of Par, which recently received international coverage as the destruction reached unprecedented levels.

The same concerns around conserving native plants and wildlife, as well as the many associated social benefits that drive their work in the Amazon, motivated the organisation to reach out to the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board to see how they could assist the island's recovery efforts after the summer bushfires.

Using local plants grown by the Landscapes Board's Native Plant Nursery coordinator, Veronica Bates, 8 Billion Trees will sponsor the cultivation and planting of a variety of native trees and shrubs on fire-affected KI properties for the next two to five years.

The aim is to help restore habitats for the many native animals that have been affected as quickly and efficiently as possible, and to replace important livestock shelter belts and wind breaks on agricultural land.

8 Billion Trees' founder Jon Chambers is hopeful the program will serve as an example for other areas of Australia in need of habitat restoration.

"With the support of the amazing team behind the KI Landscape Board's Native Plant Nursery and the receptiveness of the local community, 8 Billion Trees expects the program to blossom into something that will leave not just a lasting impression on the environment this year or even next year-but for years to come," he said.

KI Landscape Board chairman Andrew Heinrich is pleased with the support from 8 Billion Trees.

"Diverse native habitats are crucial for long-term landscape health and resilience," Mr Heinrich said. "The KI Landscape Board is grateful for the support from 8 Billion Trees and is looking forward to a rewarding partnership."

8 Billion Trees is excited to begin this new chapter on Kangaroo Island and hopes to provide positive outcomes for local landholders, habitats and the animals that call Kangaroo Island home.

For more information about 8 Billion Trees' work, visit www.8billiontrees.com