We have partnered with the Rotary Club of Eltham to plant over 6,000 trees in 2021 as part of the Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade.
Primary school students and their families have played a central role in the "Make your Mark – Plant a Tree" program, sowing the locally grown and indigenous seedlings at home and in the community.
Rotary distributed 5,750 seedlings in compostable bags with 'how to plant' guides in November for up to 14 local primary schools and students to plant in their home gardens, only weeks after they returned to classrooms to see out the school year.
"Our students didn't need much encouragement to step out of the classroom to plant seedlings after many days learning remotely this year, with many telling us they love knowing that they have left a lasting legacy on their community" said Eltham Primary School Garden Specialist Robby Dunemann.
We also supported Rotary and several community groups in the planting of a further 1,000 trees. 300 of these were planted earlier in the year along the Diamond Creek Trail at Wattle Glen, to mark National Tree Day on 1 August. The community planting events for the remaining 700 seedlings were then adapted to suit restrictions, and saw individuals from a range of community groups collect and plant seedlings in their own locations.
Seedlings were sourced from Edendale Community Environment Farm and donated as a part of the Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade.
The Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade will improve four intersections along Fitzsimons Lane, which is a major thoroughfare that connects Melbourne's northern suburbs with the city and eastern suburbs and is used by more than 60,000 vehicles every day. The new intersections will feature safe crossing points and upgraded walking and cycling paths to provide safer connections between businesses, schools and homes.
