eTree

Landcare Australia and Computershare run eTree – Australia’s first environmental incentive scheme to link shareholders from multiple companies with Landcare revegetation projects across Australia. Since its inception, Computershare has raised over $2 million.

Every time a shareholder registers for the scheme at www.eTree.com.au, a donation of up to $2 will be made to Landcare Australia to go toward specified landscape change revegetation projects in the state or territory in which the shareholder lives. The up to $2 donation will be paid by participating listed companies, whose shareholders can take up the eTree incentive provided they have email and internet access.

The eTree initiative was conceived by Computershare, the investor services and stakeholder communications company that manages the share registers of 60 per cent of Australia’s listed entities. Computershare collect the donated funds from participating listed companies and forward them to Landcare Australia to help reforestation of selected sites.

Landcare projects that have received eTree funding include the Murray Darling Basin box-ironbark belt in Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT and South Australia; Grow West at Bacchus March in Victoria; and the salinity-affected regions of south-western Western Australia. Funding will also be directed to specific wetlands projects, such as the Fitzgerald Biosphere Reserve in Western Australia.

The eTree initiative is backed by 14 foundation members, representing 5.5 million shareholdings. These include AMP, HHG, ANZ, AXA, E-TRADE, Macquarie Bank, Coles Myer, Transurban, AWB, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Computershare.

The eTree incentive scheme is open to all listed companies and information is available at www.eTree.com.au