Manaaki Taiao
Our methods
Red Tree incorporates three highly effective ecological restoration methods:
Each project is carefully tailored to the unique requirements of its specific location. Whether facing expansive landscapes, challenging topographies, climate, or budgetary considerations, we methodically devise strategies that leverage one or a combination of these methodologies to yield exceptional outcomes.
Discover how we blend innovation, expertise, and advanced technology, setting a new standard for ecological regeneration.
Enviroblanket® Direct Seeding
Enviroblanket® is game-changer in large-scale restoration. Biodiversity holds the key to sustainability, and the rapid establishment of native ecology provides an immediate response to climate related events.
This technology offers an innovative, cost-effective framework for large-scale environmental restoration, even in high-risk, remote areas and in a wide variety of environmental zones including wetlands, riparian margins, and coastal forests.
Mimicking Nature’s Blueprint
Red Tree’s Enviroblanket® technology paves the way for rapid, resilient plant growth and ecological establishment. Just as humans thrive within supportive and diverse communities, plants flourish when nurtured in their endemic environment.
The Enviroblanket® mirrors Nature’s succession at a micro-scale, creating optimal conditions for seed germination.
Imagine the rich, dark matting of the forest floor, abundant in seeds and microbial life, this is the very medium from which new plant-life springs forth.
Harnessing Nature’s self-design capacity
The profile of the Enviroblanket® reveals layers of species and growth rates; taproots penetrating deep into the earth, fibrous roots binding the surface, nurse crops protecting and supporting slow-growing natives and canopy species emerging above, creating an umbrella for life below.
This collaborative matrix stabilizes the land, prevents erosion and sedimentation, protects waterways, creates habitats for birds and insects and sequesters carbon.
Proven to be an incredibly effective solution
The Enviroblanket® technology provides a unique framework for environmental restoration on a large scale, with less inputs, and the ability to access high-risk or remote areas. This method initiates the remediation process within one year, collecting seed in autumn, sowing in winter, and achieving germination in spring.
Advantages at a glance
Minimises erosion, slows runoff and uniformly disperses sheet flow
Establishes permanent vegetation across diverse soil profiles, gradients, and ecological regions
Accelerates native species establishment and carbon sequestration
Time and cost-effective compared to traditional methods
Can be hybridised with traditional systems
Establish vegetation in challenging areas, even those requiring rope or aerial access
Process focuses on seed psychology, nutrient profiles, and biomimicry
Fungal and microbacterial inoculation increases biogeochemistry health
Remarkably efficient installation
The Enviroblanket installation process is prescriptive, based on optimal windows of seeding, cultivation techniques, herbicide timing, species selection and order of delivery.
Installation methods, whether mechanical, pneumatic, aerial, or manual, are chosen based on ecological factors, topography, climate, geology, elevation, and local resources.
A custom blend seed mix containing native pioneer species is directly broadcast on site, removing the nursery process and accelerating project timelines.
See our case studies or phone 03 365 2323 to learn more about Enviroblanket® solutions.
Specialist Drone Technology
At Red Tree, we’re ushering in a new era of smarter environmental restoration. Our commitment to preserving and rejuvenating the natural world has led us to integrate specialist drone technology as a powerful tool throughout the restoration process.
From project planning, to installation and ongoing monitoring and maintenance, our drones facilitate efficient, accurate, and safe ecological restoration.
Here’s how our drone technology is revolutionising ecological restoration:
Next Generation Insight
Red Tree’s specialist drones reveal critical insights into the topography, ecological health, and biodiversity of a site. They provide a bird’s-eye view, granting us unprecedented insights into the geology, ecological health, and diversity of a site. No two restoration projects are the same, and our technology enables us to make precise decisions regarding species selection, hydration requirements, and nutrient inputs.
Monitoring and Maintenance
Red Tree’s drones also play a pivotal role in the monitoring and maintenance phase. They collect multi-spectral data from a perspective only they can provide, enabling highly accurate mapping of hydration, pest monitoring, fertilizer application, and weed control. This results in significantly enhanced efficiencies in both time and resource utilisation.
Avian Inspired Seed Dispersal
Much like the role birds perform in forests, our drones have the capacity to disperse seeds and nutrients over expansive areas, even those with challenging access and challenging terrain.
Minimising ground impact and reducing emissions, drones allow us to act swiftly in revegetating disturbed sites. This capability is vital as we navigate an era of increasing climate-related events.
Elevating Health and Safety
Drones are key to improving safety on high-risk sites with steep terrain or difficult access. They keep people out of harm’s way by minimising the need for personnel to navigate unsafe terrain. Drones are a vital part of our commitment to health and safety, ensuring our mission is carried out without compromising anyone’s well-being.
Minimising Carbon Footprint
Our drone technology offers a much more sustainable alternative to traditional methods, significantly reducing reliance on tractors and helicopters.
Utilising highly efficient battery technology and compact fuel-efficient generators, our drones run on just 200 mL of fuel per hectare - remarkable in comparison to conventional machinery.
Maximising Efficiency
Whether it’s spraying, topdressing, or seeding operations, our drones deliver uniform coverage with zero ground disturbance while completing tasks in record time.
Our smart drone technology enables mapping of areas for grid flight patterns and facilitates targeted variable rate applications, enhancing productivity and accuracy.
Additionally, our technology boasts precision vertical cliff spraying, AI-powered mapping and analysis, and smart flight and calibration capabilities, optimising the efficient utilisation of products while minimising time and costs.
Our fleet
Thermal Imaging Drone
The Thermal Imaging Drone is used predominately for pest monitoring, detecting plant health, and reading soil temperatures. This drone adds another layer of data into the Enviroblanket® toolbox to assist germination/seeding timings and pest control operations.
Multispectral Drone
The Multispectral Drone is capable of reading the landscape through non-visible light bands within the electromagnetic spectrum. Photogrammetry is used to amalgamate data into a usable form such as photosynthesis production, soil hydration, plant health, and more.
Agricultural Drone
The Agricultural Drone is used for aerial seeding and spraying. Capable of covering over a hectare in ten minutes, this drone is perfect for low-impact operations, projects within high-risk zones or with limited access, and significantly increasing efficiencies.
See our case studies or phone David Rothe on 021 058 4338 to learn more about drone restoration solutions.
Traditional Re-vegetation
At Red Tree, we’re highly experienced in traditional re-vegetation. Employing time-honoured techniques we’ve proudly hand planted over half a million natives, in a range of environmental zones throughout the country.
Our traditional planting service is now commonly supported by cutting-edge Enviroblanket direct seeding, strategically implemented across many different ecologies from wetlands and riparian margins, to retired pastures.
Complimented by Drone Technology
Employing a holistic approach to restoration, we utilise advanced drone technology for precise landscape mapping. This enables us to comprehensively assess and interpret terrain features, facilitating informed species selection for optimal re-vegetation. By understanding the land intricately, we tailor our planting strategies to ensure sustainable, thriving habitats for generations to come.
Ensuring Success
Implementation is spearheaded by our skilled planting team, adhering to industry best practices to achieve exceptional outcomes. Post-installation, we provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance for 3-5 years, utilising a combination of manual methods and selective herbicide application to ensure the continued success of planted areas. With an emphasis on efficiency, safety, and quality, we consistently surpass expectations, boasting plant survival rates exceeding 90%.
Pest Control
Biosecurity is paramount in our projects. Through thorough baseline surveys and strategic control operations, we mitigate the impact of invasive species, safeguarding the integrity of restored ecosystems. Outsourcing pest control operations, our biosecurity partners ensure comprehensive protection, allowing native flora to flourish unhindered.
Enhancing Biodiversity
Traditional planting serves as an excellent compliment to direct seeding, fostering biodiversity by establishing noble trees and podocarps once pioneer canopy cover is established. This approach encourages ecological resilience, nurturing vibrant ecosystems teeming with diverse flora and fauna.
Sustainable Practices
Whether growing our own native plants or collaborating with eco-sourced contract producers, we prioritise sustainability throughout the supply chain. Our commitment to reducing environmental impact extends to site preparation, employing manual and mechanical clearing techniques alongside targeted weed control measures.