Image: Many gathered around to Sydney to celebrate Nation Tree Day Image: Inner West Council/Facebook.
By JUSTIN COOPER
Residents and councils around Sydney have celebrated Planet Ark’s National Tree days through various planting initiatives over the weekend.
On Sunday, multiple councils and organisations held various events encouraging residents to contribute to the annual nature care and tree planting event.
Many Sydney councils, including City of Sydney and Randwick, held their respective free events for the day with many locals joining to help the initiative.
“Supporting Biodiversity”
In Surry Hills, City of Sydney Council held their planting event at the Prince Alfred Park and planted over 5,000 native grasses, flowering herbs and plants within the area.
Announcing the event, Lord Mayor Clover Moore spoke of the event’s significance in “supporting biodiversity and beautifying the area.”
“Our parks are among our most important assets, and I love to see these great events where the community can come together and help us make Prince Alfred Park even better,” says Moore.
“These meadows provide habitat for a variety of species like insects, spiders, small birds, frogs and lizards. On top of that, the plants are food for some animals who are themselves are fodder for other, larger animals – creating a thriving ecosystem,” continued Moore.
Moore explains such events encourage and will help reach the council’s goal of reaching 40% green coverage across the area by 2050, in combating heat island effect and providing habitats for wildlife.
Inner West and Randwick Council also celebrated the day through their respective tree planting events, whilst Waverley Council gave away plant seedlings for locals to use.
Schools Tree Day
On Friday, students made their own tree planting contributions during School’s Tree Day, with participating schools taking time for students to plant native greenery.
At the Randwick Sustainability Hub, 70 children from local childcare centres and preschools were joined by Randwick City Council, Tree Rites and Planet Ark to contribute to the day.
Posting to social media, Planet Ark says the school day and contributions is a “vital part” of their Nation Tree Day campaign in educating children about the environment.
“It’s a special day when those young and young at heart dig in, connect with nature and plant native trees, shrubs and grasses for a green future,” says Planet Ark.
Planet Ark’s Nation Plant Day has been an annual event since 1996, and is one of the largest nature care events within Australia.
NB: This article was originally posted on Sunday 30 July as City Hub switched to a new website.
