Visiting Tepper’s Node
David in 2024 beside the Tepper’s node sign.
They say the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.
Tepper’s Node was the site of the very first Yarrilinks planting in 1999. Now, 25 years on, it’s providing valuable habitat in the landscape and is a source of pride for landholder David Tepper and his family.
Alicia had the opportunity to visit Tepper’s Node while conducting a site visit to plan Minyip Landcare Group’s 2024 Landcare grant application. She met with David and had a tour of the site.
The site was planted by local folks in 1999. Two things about the project were pretty unusual at that time:
Farmers taking cropping land out of cultivation to return to native veg, and
Adults planting trees (instead of schoolkids!).
Since then, Yarrilinks has facilitated the planting of around 2600 hectares with 400,000 indigenous seedlings, involving people of all ages from over 30 different countries.
David and wife Maxine stand proudly outside the gate of their newly planted site in 1999.
25 years later, the trees are thriving and the site is protected by a conservation covenant.
David is a third generation farmer, and has spent his whole life on the land. Throughout this time, he’s also had an affinity for the natural environment. “My great grandfather was a botanist and a great environmentalist. It’s in the blood” he explains. He believes in protecting the remnant vegetation on his land with conservation covenants, and also the revegetated area at Tepper’s Node.
During this year’s Landcare Grant applications, David and Alicia planned some activities to help project these special spaces on the property, including fencing and weed control.
