Media Release: Landcare reaches 80,000th tree as part of National Tree Day

Tuesday, 2 August 2022

National Tree Day celebrated by planting of 80,000th tree in Parramatta

 

A major milestone for community Landcare was met during National Tree Day at the weekend with the planting of the 80,000th tree as part of the Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney project.

Facilitated through a partnership between NSW Government, Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare Network, the tree planting in Parramatta, held alongside an event in Blacktown, was the latest in a long list of planting activities completed across Sydney over the past two years.

The Creating Canopies team are on track to not only meet, but exceed, their target of 100,000 trees planted by the end of 2022.

With over 600 people attending the event, Greater Sydney Landcare Network Chair, Bev Debrincat said this milestone and groundswell movement was a testament to the hard work undertaken by staff and volunteers and the importance of partners collaborating to grow and create green spaces across Sydney.

“Green spaces and community engagement are crucial in the health of our communities and our environment. We are building on the fantastic work from previous National Tree Days at the Parramatta site and this will ensure we continue to create valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife.

“Western Sydney is a priority area for our project and the serendipity in being able to plant our 80,000th tree in Western Sydney is fantastic,” Bev said.

Landcare NSW CEO, Turlough Guerin, said Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare Network are proud to partner with the Department of Planning and Environment in Greening our City.

“Landcare NSW works with community groups across the state to improve the health of our environment and communities. Green spaces aren’t just beneficial in providing habitat for our native flora and fauna, they’re also linked to stronger, healthier, more resilient communities.

“This project helps support our community’s health and well-being but also the protection of our native plants and animals by providing much needed habitat.”

The trees have been planted as part of the Greening Our City program, to increase the tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney.

Funding has been provided to Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare Network as part of the NSW Government’s partnership with Landcare to plant 100,000 new trees across Greater Sydney.

The plantings in Parramatta and Blacktown have been coordinated by Greater Sydney Landcare Network in conjunction with Councils, local Landcare, Bushcare and community groups.

ENDS

Media Contact:  Samantha Stratton
communication@landcarensw.org.au  / 0487 767 955

Media Release: Major milestone as 60,000th tree planted in Western Sydney by Landcare

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 8th December 2021

A major milestone for community Landcare was met when the sixty-thousandth tree for the Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney project was planted at Chauvel Park in the Liverpool City Council.

Facilitated through the partnership between NSW Government, Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare Network, the tree plantings are one of many that have been held across Sydney throughout the past year

Greater Sydney Landcare Network Chair, Bev Debrincat, said the milestone is a testament to the hard work undertaken by staff and volunteers and the collaboration between Landcare and Government to help create green spaces and healthy habitats across Sydney.

“The past year has been challenging for all our communities and we’ve grown in the understanding of the importance of green spaces and nature and how it benefits our communities, health, and wellbeing. Western Sydney is a priority area for our project and I’m thrilled that Liverpool could be where we lay our sixty-thousandth tree,” Bev said.

Landcare NSW Acting CEO, John McLoughlin, said Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare Network are proud to partner with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in Greening our City.

“Landcare NSW works with volunteer community groups to improve the health of our environment and communities. By expanding the green canopy cover across Greater Sydney, we are not only contributing to our community’s health and well-being but also the protection of our native plants and animals by providing much needed habitat.”

Executive Director of Green and Resilient Places with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Steve Hartley said trees are one of our greatest weapons in the battle against the urban heat in Western Sydney.

“This is an important milestone for Landcare and the community of Western Sydney, which will help bring cooler temperatures as we head into summer, while providing more habitat for local wildlife,” Mr Hartley said.

The plantings in Liverpool have been coordinated by Greater Sydney Landcare Network in conjunction with local Landcare and community groups.

The trees are being planted as part of the NSW Government’s Greening Our City program, to increase the tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney. Funding has been provided to Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare Network as part of the NSW Government’s $2.1million investment and partnership with Landcare to plant 100,000 new trees across Greater Sydney.

1200 Trees Planted at Fairfield Hospital

The grounds of Fairfield Hospital are set to green thanks to a partnership between the NSW Government, Fairfield City Council and Landcare NSW to plant 1200 trees.

Fairfield Hospital General Manager Paul Crowe and the Mayor of Fairfield Frank Carbone joined Landcare NSW CEO Dr Adrian Zammit and the Greater Sydney Landcare Network’s Creating Canopies team and 20 volunteers to plant new trees and undergrowth plants at Fairfield Hospital.

Mayor of Fairfield Frank Carbone said the new greenery will be a huge benefit to patients at the hospital, wildlife and the wider community.

“These trees will create a beautiful environment for patients, visitors and the wider community to relax, while creating new habitat and strengthening the corridor along Orphan School Creek,” Mr Carbone said.

The Department of Planning Industry and Environment’s Deputy Secretary of Place, Design and Public Spaces Alex O’Mara said the initiative was part of the NSW Government’s commitment to plant one million trees across Greater Sydney.

“Access to green spaces has immense health benefits for the community and play a big role in supporting mental and physical health and we are committed to ensuring everyone across Greater Sydney can experience these benefits,” Ms O’Mara said.

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit said the organisation was proud to partner with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in Greening our City.

“Landcare NSW works to improve the health of our environment and communities and by expanding the green canopy cover across Greater Sydney we are not only contributing to our community’s health and well-being but also the protection of our native plants and animals by providing much needed habitat,” Dr Zammit said.

Fairfield Hospital General Manager Paul Crowe said more than 1200 trees will make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of patients and visitors to Fairfield Hospital.

“More canopy cover will improve the natural environment and contribute to the preservation of Cumberland Plain Woodland, while providing a peaceful place for patients and their families to enjoy,” Mr Crowe said.

The trees will be planted as part of the NSW Government’s $2.1 million investment and partnership with Landcare to plant 100,000 new trees across Greater Sydney.

The undergrowth plants have been donated by Fairfield Council Nursery.

Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney is looking for Landcarers and landholders from across the region interested in participating in tree planting activities and creating future canopies.

Landcarers and landholders interested in registering their site for trees can email trees@greatersydneylandcare.org or call (02) 4724 2147.

This project is a part of the NSW Government Greening our City program, planting 1 million trees in Greater Sydney by 2022. Landcare NSW will work with the Greater Sydney Landcare Network to deliver the planting of 100,000 trees with a focus on Western Sydney.

130 Trees planted for Kurrajong koalas

Greater Sydney Landcare Network today planted 130 trees in Kurrajong which will provide an important habitat corridor for a genetically distinct population of koalas.

Landcare NSW CEO Dr Adrian Zammit was joined by Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston and a group of 20 volunteers on Saturday 22 August, to plant 130 trees in Kurrajong Hills as part of the Government’s initiative to green Greater Sydney by planting one million trees over the next two years.

The planting is part of the Creating Canopies project being delivered in partnership with Landcare NSW. Funding for the project is provided by the NSW Government as part of the program to expand the city’s green canopy cover across Greater Sydney, with a focus on Western Sydney.

“This site is an important habitat corridor for the koala population in Kurrajong and we’ll be helping these creatures to thrive by restoring the koala corridor, planting their food tree species and removing weeds,” Ms Preston said.

“Greening our neighbourhoods and backyards is integral to our community’s health and wellbeing and the protection and resilience of our native plants and animals.

“More tree canopy means more shade, cooler suburbs and habitats for our beautiful wildlife.

“That’s why the NSW Government has teamed up with Landcare NSW and invested $2.1 million to plant 100,000 new trees across Greater Sydney by 2022 to expand the city’s green canopy.”

Landcare NSW CEO Dr Adrian Zammit said the project will help support the development of green spaces across Greater Sydney.

“With the support of the Greater Sydney Landcare Network, we will be planting 100,000 trees across Greater Sydney from 2020 – 2022. This will help grow native canopy to cool our city with Landcarers helping landowners and community members participate in tree planting activities,” said Dr Zammit.

“We will bring the skills and dedication of our extensive networks to help meet these ambitious goals. The expertise of Landcarers will be important in ensuring that appropriate sites are chosen, landholders are provided with correct advice on tree choice and long-term maintenance, and trees are planted with the best chance of surviving.

“We will work directly with landowners and local native nurseries in identifying the most appropriate tree species to be planted for each site.”

Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney is looking for Landcarers and landholders from across the region interested in participating in tree planting activities and creating future canopies.

Landcarers and landholders interested in registering their site for trees can email trees@greatersydnelandcare.org or call (02) 4724 2147.

To date, more than 300,000 trees have been planted across Greater Sydney as part of the Greening our City program to increase tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney by planting one million trees by 2022.

 

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit, Robyn Preston MP member for Hawkesbury and landowner Chris Keen.

MEDIA:

Jodie Lovell Landcare NSW | 0439 316 151

 

Landcare NSW will work with the Greater Sydney Landcare Network to deliver the planting of 100,000 trees with a focus on Western Sydney by 2022.

Thousands of new trees to be planted across Greater Sydney

The NSW Government is investing nearly $5 million to plant thousands of new trees across  Greater Sydney to expand the city’s green canopy in partnership with Greening Australia and Landcare NSW.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the partnerships will see 172,000 new trees planted in Greater Sydney’s parks, schools and communities over the next two-and-a-half years, with the first 32,000 to be planted by the end of 2020.

“We have connected with leading environmental organisations to increase our tree canopy cover, cool our communities and create great new green public spaces across the city,” Mr Stokes said.

“New trees today mean more healthy shaded public spaces and beautiful tree-lined streets for communities to enjoy now and for years to come.”

The NSW Government has signed two contracts totaling $4.77 million for:
–  100,000 trees to be planted across Greater Sydney, with a focus on Western Sydney with Landcare NSW; and
–  72,000 trees to be planted across parks and community spaces and schools across Greater Sydney with Greening Australia.

The two new partnerships will contribute to the NSW Government’s ambitious target to plant     one million trees by 2022.

Landcare NSW CEO Dr Adrian Zammit said the project will help support the development of green spaces across Greater Sydney.

“With the support of the Greater Sydney Landcare Network we will help grow native canopy to cool our city with Landcarers helping landowners and community members participate in tree planting activities.

“Our shared challenge is not only to get the trees in the ground but to monitor and provide education to ensure they survive.”

Greening Australia’s Nature in Cities Director Paul Della Libera said the ‘Cooling the Schools’ program will establish native habitats and help cool urban areas.

“By working together with schoolchildren across Greater Sydney to increase the tree canopy cover in their neighbourhoods, we can lower temperatures and create healthier communities for both people and wildlife. This is particularly important in urban areas given rising summer temperatures.

“We will be partnering with Western Sydney University to identify and prioritise the communities with the lowest canopy cover and greatest vulnerability to the urban heat island effect.”

MEDIA:

Jodie Lovel Landcare NSW | 0439 316 151 

Courtney Taylor DPIE | 0499 699 226

New partnership to reach one million trees target announced at NSW Parliament House

A new partnership between Landcare NSW and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment was announced last night in Sydney at Landcare NSW’s annual Trees in the House event at NSW Parliament House.

In support of the Premier’s Priority to Green our City, Landcare NSW has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to help plant one million trees in the Greater Sydney area by 2022. This is part of the NSW Government’s program to plant five million trees in Greater Sydney by 2030.

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit, said: “Landcare NSW is pleased to bring the skills and dedication of our extensive networks to help meet this ambitious target. Our shared challenge is not only to get the trees in the ground but to do the follow up work necessary to ensure they survive; a stable and properly-funded Landcare system is critical to the success of this initiative.”

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said: “We’ve set an ambitious target to increase Greater Sydney’s tree cover and partnerships like this one with Landcare NSW will be vital to achieve it.”

Trees in the House, Landcare NSW’s yearly flagship event, is co-hosted with the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare (PFL) group. The PFL is a cross-party group of NSW Members of Parliament who have a common interest in demonstrating support for the goals of Landcare.

Guests were given a native seedling to take away and plant. Trees adopted on the night were registered online and will count towards the target.

The evening also focused on the NSW Landcare Program (2019 – 2023), which is a continuation of the previous Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative (2015 – 2019) and in particular the new regional coordinator role.

The NSW Landcare Program (2019 – 2023) is a $22.4 million investment co-delivered by Landcare NSW and NSW Local Land Services to unlock the potential of the extensive volunteer network and Landcare movement across NSW.

A 2018 study found Landcare contributes $500m to the economy every year.

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit, said the Regional Landcare Coordinators will play an important role in growing the effectiveness of the network of Local Landcare Coordinators.

“We’re seeing the overall health of Landcare groups surge because of the on-ground support that Local Landcare Coordinators are providing. The addition of Regional Landcare Coordinators will play a pivotal role in growing the effectiveness of our statewide Landcare network. They are the drivers of regional resource and knowledge sharing and will coordinate and leverage the strategic goals of Landcare NSW and its member groups.

“The work that Landcare groups do every day across NSW directly benefits us all, but establishing resilient landscapes and communities especially during these trying times of prolonged drought and now bushfires, requires ongoing support and resources which is why our partnership with the NSW Government is fundamental to our ongoing operations,” Dr Zammit said.

The Regional Landcare Coordinator is a new role with nine of 11 positions already filled. They will work with 68 part time Local Landcare Coordinators who support a 60,000-strong volunteer network.