Local and international celebrities have joined forces to support the launch of a new initiative that aims to see more than 100,000 trees planted across Australia’s bushfire affected areas, as part of a long-term commitment to rebuild and regenerate.
The ‘Caring For Tomorrow’ initiative, in line with the forthcoming Under The Southern Stars (UTSS) music festivals and in partnership with Ecodynamics and ReForest Now, will see one tree planted per ticket sold for each concert.
Caring For Tomorrow’s tree planting initiative has kicked off at Kangaroo Island this morning in partnership with Channel 9’s TODAY Show. The three UTSS international headline acts, LIVE, BUSH and Stone Temple Pilots, are also making financial contributions and will physically offer assistance in the tree planting efforts alongside volunteers when they arrive in Australia.
Supporters who have vocally thrown their weight behind the campaign include Tommy Lee from Motley Crue, motorbike world champion Mick Doohan, three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Glen Boss, former Miss Universe Australia Laura Dundovic, current Olympic 100-metre butterfly gold medallist Joseph Schooling, Neighbours actor Alan Fletcher and St Kilda football hero Aaron Hamill, with many more putting their names and voices to 20-second video clips acknowledging that ‘Caring For Tomorrow’ starts today.
“We are wanting to make a contribution to the long-term relief efforts in the wake of the bushfires that have devastated so many communities across Australia,” says UTSS festival organiser Andrew McManus.
“In addition to the numerous immediate fundraising and support efforts thus far, this pledge seeks to focus more on the enduring need to bring nature back into these beautiful parts of the country, which needs to start today.
“Each ticket purchased will see a tree planted and we encourage Australians to come along and support regrowth in affected towns,” McManus says.
Caring For Tomorrow’s goal of planting 100,000 trees represents an investment of $1,000,000 by Under the Southern Stars. The trees and shrubs will be planted and nurtured by ReForest Now in Queensland and EcoDynamics in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
“We are proud to partner with this fantastic initiative to plant native trees across fire-affected areas. The Caring For Tomorrow program is not only a natural fit for our business but more importantly affords us the opportunity to contribute directly to the bushfire recovery effort, aligning with our vision of creating greener futures,” says Nick Somes, director at Ecodynamics.
“We are thrilled to be involved in this initiative and are already working in areas where the fire has burned through the higher eucalyptus forests. Our work also seeks to reduce the risk of fire spreading in the future by restoring more contiguous rainforest areas,” says Maximo Bottaro, co-founder of ReForest Now.
Under The Southern Stars music festival, now in its third year, will be touring nationally in April 2020 delivering some of the biggest names in rock from the 90s with twelve festival events taking place throughout Australia. The festivals will incorporate a VIP deck, Ferris wheel and rides, market stalls and village ensuring the rock ‘n’ roll carnival is far more than music.
A brand new indoor UTSS event has just been announced by the festival at The Timberyard Port Melbourne with tickets now on sale.
UTSS is also offering volunteers and professional services involved in the relief effort free entry for themselves and a guest into selected concerts. More info on eligibility and obtaining tickets can be found through the official UTSS website and Facebook page.
For every 50 corporate tickets purchased, UTSS is pledging 100 trees to be planted in the company’s name with 10 tickets upgraded to VIP tickets.
Other supporters of Caring For Tomorrow include One World Entertainment Communications Collective, and Eventbrite.
Under The Southern Stars tours nationally in April 2020. For complete event and ticketing information, please visit www.underthesouthernstars.com.au
To find out more about Caring For Tomorrow, follow on Instagram @caringfortomorrow and Facebook.
