To celebrate National Tree Day this Sunday, we invite the community to join us in planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses at planting events in Berkeley, Figtree, and Russell Vale.
Held annually, National Tree Day encourages Australians to get their hands dirty and do their bit for the environment.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said everyday should be tree day given the evergreen benefits they provide.
"Trees and plants cool our suburbs, reduce pollution, make our natural areas beautiful and provide food and shelter for native wildlife," said Cr Bradbery.
"They also play an important role in stabilising river and creek banks and our coastal foreshore to prevent erosion during flooding and storms.
"As the impacts of extreme weather increase, planting more trees and plants is something simple we can all do now to help create a better future. That's focus of council's Urban Greening Strategy."
Wollongong City Council will be hosting three plantings on Sunday 28 July:
- Holborn Park on Lake Illawarra, Berkeley
9.30am to 10.30am. Register
- Byarong Creek, Figtree
9.00am to 10.30am. Register
- Cawley Park, Russell Vale
10.00am to 11.00am. Register
Participants are asked to wear enclosed footwear, long pants and sleeves, and to bring a hat and water bottle. Please bring your own gardening gloves if you have them.
Cr Bradbery said participants and council staff would work together to plant endemic grasses, shrubs and trees specific to each site.
"Native species include Mat Rush [Lomandra longifolia], Coffee Bush [Breynia oblongifolia] and Blackbutt [Eucalyptus pilularis].
"This event supports our commitment to increasing tree canopy cover in Wollongong."
Residents can also celebrate by planting a new tree or shrub in their yard.
"With 75 percent of the land in Wollongong being privately owned, we need everyone to contribute on their own patch to help create a better future together," said Cr Bradbery.
If you can't decide what to plant, check out the community-run Growing Illawarra Natives website or come along to Wollongong Botanic Garden's monthly sale with a photo of the space you're looking to fill so our team can help with recommendations.
The next Greenplan Plant Sale will be held on Friday 16 August 2024.
