Join-in and be inspired on National Tree Day
Wingecarribee Shire Council is inviting residents to take part in a family friendly National Tree Day event on Saturday 21 October 2017.
The site chosen for this year’s community planting is the Wingecarribee River adjacent to Bong Bong Shared Pathway in Burradoo.
Council’s Natural Resource Officer Paul Marshall said this year’s theme ‘Be Inspired: it’s in our nature’ highlights how nature ignites our inspiration, passion and creativity as well as offering significant health and wellbeing benefits.
“A year ago the site was completely infested with woody and viny weeds until Council’s Green Army team got to work clearing the site and establishing the initial plantings,” said Mr Marshall.
“This year we hope to plant 1,000 native plants in a bid to improve the overall health of the river by linking past planting areas to remnant native vegetation, extending habitat, providing shade and helping to protect the riverbanks from erosion during flood events.”
The National Tree Day community planting event will host a range of festive activities to suit young and old.
“We’re set to have a fun-filled day with native plant giveaways, stalls, bird spotting demonstrations and the launch of the Wall to Wollondilly project, a 10-year collaboration between Greening Australia, South East Local Land Services, Council, riparian landholders and the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative,” said Mr Marshall.
Members of the community are invited to join Council staff, Bushcare volunteers, neighbours and members of the public from 8.30am to help with the planting.
The day will conclude with a free BBQ lunch prepared by members of the Moss Vale Lions Club.
Volunteers are asked to wear sun-smart clothing with sturdy footwear and bring gloves if they have them – tools, sunscreen and extra gloves will be available on the day.
All volunteers are required to sign in at the registration table on arrival and, if possible, register for the community planting beforehand to assist with catering.
Access to the site is available from Werrington Street, Hurlingham Avenue or along the Bong Bong Track Shared Pathway from Railway Road in Burradoo.
“If the weather isn’t on our side, we’ll post-pone the event to 28 October 2017,” added Mr Marshall.
National Tree Day is an annual event organised by Planet Ark with each region given the option of scheduling it to suit their local conditions.
Further details about the event and information on how to register can be found on Council’s website www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/national-tree-day, or by phoning Council’s Natural Resource Officer on 4868 0772 or 0418 424 524.