DRONE TREE PLANTING

Help plant more trees at scale by investing in cutting edge drone technology.

Invest in bold solutions and cutting edge technology

Together, we need to act now to restore critical wildlife habitats at scale. That’s why we’re investing in bold and innovative solutions. With your support, we are moving towards an ambitious goal of planting and protecting 2 billion trees by 2030.  

Drone planting technology works by firing seeds in carbon capsules into the soil and mapping specific species to their native areas. The capsule protects and fertilises the seeds as they grow, then breaks down as they strengthen into seedlings.

By using drones to plant trees, landscapes can restore faster and at scale. One drone can plant up to 40,000 seed pods a day! These seedlings will grow to become future habitats for our threatened native wildlife species, including the koala, which was classified as Endangered in early 2022.

Be a part of this exciting habitat restoration project by making a donation today.

AirSeed Technologies drone in forefront, two men in background with drone remote
© WWF-Australia

How it works

To achieve our bold vision, a combination of traditional and innovative solutions is needed. Our incredible partners can plant up to 800 seedlings each day in accessible areas. To help reach other areas, your support can enable up to 40,000 seed pods per day to be planted via drone. 

Creating a more hopeful future

  • Committing to planting and protecting 2 billion trees by 2030.
  • Innovating solutions to long-term climate adaptation and making Australia a renewable energy exports powerhouse.
  • Working with Indigenous cultural burning to ensure a more fire-resilient landscape.
The aftermath of the devastating bushfires near Surfs Beach in the Shoalhaven region which ripped through on New Year's Eve 2019.
© WWF-Australia / Leonie Sii

Project milestones

Together we’ll take the following steps to restore vital koala habitats:

  • Initial project development, area identification and impact modelling.
  • Research and photo monitoring of focus areas by 30 June 2021.
  • Complete reseeding of 11 hectares of koala habitat using a mix of koala food and habitat seeds by 8 February 2022.
  • Provide a final report documenting the impact of the project including controlled burns, drone seeding and community workshops by 8 February 2022.
  • Annual reporting on the survival rate of the trees planted, habitat restoration implications and wildlife documentation by 8 February 2024.

Investment breakdown

A project of this scale requires research, land preparation, and precise drone planning/programming.
Aerial of the Kangaroo Island bushfire aftermath in 2020

Habitat research and land preparation.

An AirSeed Technologies drone that can plant up to 40 000 seeds a day

Drone and seed equipment costs.

WWF-Australia is exploring deploying innovative techniques such as seed planting drones to help regenerate Australia after the bushfires.

Seed planting via drones and traditional methods.

Ben O'Hara and Tanya Pritchard Drone Seeding Mix in Hidden Vale, QLD

Staffing and labour costs.

Maryanne the koala wrapped in a blanket

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WWF-Australia has deployed emergency funds for immediate wildlife rescue, care and recovery. We are providing support to the RSPCA Queensland, the leading wildlife care facility during the recent bushfires in Queensland to enable urgent treatment and ongoing care for the huge influx of injured wildlife, in particular koalas.
© Trudi Timbs

Our promise to you

When you invest today, we’ll keep you updated on the project’s progress, so you can see exactly how you’re making an impact. 

Drone seeding projects overseas have enabled habitat restoration at a scale never seen before. That's why we're working with local experts to come up with a solution that works best for our unique nature.

You can be part of this critical next step to help our native species recover.

Staff from online furniture business Koala at a tree planting event at Cook Park in Ruse. The event included a live cross on the Today Show to promote Koala's support of WWF-Australia's Towards Two Billion Trees campaign.
© WWF-Aus / Paul Fahy

Become a partner in conservation

If you decide to give $1,000 or more towards this project, not only will you be making a significant difference to this project but you’ll also become part of our Partners in Conservation community.

In thanks and recognition of your exceptional commitment to nature, you would receive exclusive impact updates as well as invitations to special events around the country.

How else can you help Regenerate Australia?