Monash Planting Policy

The vision of the late Monash professor A J “Jock” Marshall, the foundation chair of Zoology and Comparative Physiology, to establish environmental policies at the Clayton campus, such as the planting of native trees, is now being reflected in the establishment of a university wide Planting Policy.

The policy was devised by Facilities & Services in conjunction with the Grounds Department, and has now been adopted as part of the Master Planning process for the university.

It aims to provide “a mechanism for maintaining and increasing the coverage of native vegetation across all Monash University campuses while simultaneously facilitating the provision of valued landscapes for sustainable research, education and promotion.”

The new plan is designed to cover all Australian campuses and will seek to establish world class environmentally sustainable landscapes and “the continual improvement of ecological function.”

It is planned to achieve this through:

• Planting the correct native vegetation for the intended ecological application.
• Enhancing biodiversity by creating habitats which attract native wildlife and improve the ecosystem.
• Maintaining landscapes and individual features which have specific functions such as improving social and cultural awareness, provide teaching and research opportunities and enhance biodiversity.

The responsibility for its implementation will involve tOES, the Grounds section of Maintenance and Minor Works and the Divisional Director’s office.

Brett Walters, ESD Manager, tOES, said: “This policy recognises the value of Monash University’s considerable native plantings and their contribution to biodiversity – an issue of global importance – and helps ensure that these valuable living assets are maintained and enhanced over time.”