Keiran Bartle appreciates the importance of urban renewal in this day and age.
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That’s why the Wollongong City Council tree management officer was heartened by the strong turnout to the National Tree Day event at Greenhouse Park on Sunday.
“We have about 65 volunteers here from Dapto Scouts and the Rotary Club of Wollongong,” Mr Bartle said.
“We expect to plant between 1500 to 2000 trees on this site today.”
He said about 40 volunteers also planted about 1000 trees at Guest Park in Fairy Meadow on Sunday.
“Council has been participating in National Tree Day – Australia’s largest tree-planting and nature care event – since its inception in 1996,” Mr Bartle said.
“This day is a great opportunity for community members to get involved and do something positive for our community by planting a tree and helping out at one of the parks in the city.”
Rotary Club of Wollongong’s Dot Hennessy said members enjoyed rejuvenating the old builders’ tip now known as Greenhouse Park. “It’s a great city facility. Have a look at those million dollar views,” she said.
Six Wollongong schools, including Lakelands Public School, also planted trees on Friday.
Lakelands also participated in Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day, an annual event which gives back to local communities by planting in school grounds or community areas.
On July 26 some 30 students and three Bunnings staff members planted around 35 trees and shrubs.
The school also created a frog pond as part of the national campaign FrogID.
Lead by the Australian Museum, the campaign aims to create habitats that attract and support frogs at schools around Australia, while raising awareness about the importance of frogs and the environment.
Meantime, more than 3.8 million people have planted 24 million trees and plants since National Tree Day started in 1996.
Wollongong City Council plans to spend more than $500,000 this financial year on trees in public parks, reserves and streets under its Urban Greening Strategy and aims to double the tree canopy across the city by 2046.
“I’d say we’ve planted about 50,000 trees across the city since National Tree Day started,” Mr Bartle said.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
