Tag: youth

Family Fun Day: Help Plant a Greener Future in Blacktown!

Looking for a fun and meaningful way to spend time outdoors with your kids and friends? Join Greater Sydney Landcare and Landcare NSW for a relaxed, family-friendly community planting day at Whalan Reserve in Blacktown.

This hands-on event is part of the Creating Canopies project – a joint initiative of Greater Sydney Landcare and Landcare NSW, proudly funded by the NSW Government under the Greening our City program. The goal? To plant 300,000 native trees and shrubs across Greater Sydney by the end of 2025, helping to create cooler, greener spaces, and combat urban heat.

Event Details
Date: Saturday, 5th July 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM AEST
Location: Whalan Reserve, Catlin Close, Whalan NSW 2770
Cost: FREE to attend with lunch, training, gardening gloves, and tools provided!

All ages welcome!

To attend, register via Greater Sydney Landcare’s Eventbrite page: https://WhalanReservePlanting.eventbrite.com.au

Since 2020, Creating Canopies has brought thousands of Sydneysiders together to get their hands dirty for a great cause. The results speak for themselves:

  • 250,000 native trees and shrubs planted
  • Over 5,000 volunteers engaged
  • Over 300 community planting events held
  • 35 corporate groups have participated and given back to the community
  • Benefits spread across 18 Greater Sydney Local Government Areas

The project is delivering more than just environmental benefits. As Steve Hartley, The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) Executive Director Resilience and Sustainability, said, “Tree planting projects actively increase canopy cover and provide much needed shade to reduce the impacts of urban heat. More tree cover provides cleaner air and helps protect and boost the health of local communities,” Mr Hartley said.

Creating Canopies brings people together. Volunteers often highlight the sense of connection, community, and shared purpose they feel on the day. Whether you come with the kids, some friends, or on your own, you’ll be warmly welcomed and guided by the Creating Canopies team. Every tree planted is a step toward a healthier city and community.

Those interested in volunteering or seeking more information on upcoming planting days can sign up for Creating Canopies updates HERE.

The project is funded by the NSW Government’s Greening our City grant. For more information visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/greening-our-city-grant.

About Creating Canopies:

Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare are planting 300,000 trees by the end of 2025 as part of the Greening our City program to help mitigate urban heat in Greater Sydney. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.

About Greater Sydney Landcare:

Greater Sydney Landcare is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to creating resilient landscapes and connected communities across Greater Sydney. We empower volunteers to plant native trees, conserve koalas and their habitats, care for their local waterways, and rejuvenate degraded environments. Join us in making a lasting impact. Learn more at greatersydneylandcare.org.

About Landcare NSW:

Landcare NSW acts as the conduit between Landcare members and key decision makers, working to ensure its members are supported at every level by providing leadership, skills, resources, and representation. For more information, visit landcarensw.org.au.

Photos: Greater Sydney Landcare

Regenerate & Create!

In early November 2024, Watershed Landcare delivered an unforgettable two-day experience that combined hands-on environmental restoration with artistic expression. Hosting 36 Year 9 students and staff from St Leonard’s College in Melbourne. It brought to life the power of collaboration and creativity in landscape regeneration while connecting city kids with the country.

Held at Franks Breakaway Farm on the banks of the Cudgegong River, the program aimed to immerse students in the principles of holistic land management through hands-on activities. The event kicked off with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Peter Swain, who shared the “Tiddalik the Frog” Dreamtime story. This timeless tale conveyed the shared responsibility of caring for land, water, and community, setting the tone for the days ahead.

Under the guidance of Watershed Landcare and Dr Laura Fisher from Mulloon Institute, students learned about the four interrelated ecosystem processes: water, mineral, energy cycles, and community dynamics. The focus was on improving landscape rehydration, which is vital for restoring soil health and ecosystem resilience. Before the students arrived, meticulous preparation had been undertaken, including contour earthworks, seeding, and mulching to create an optimal environment for planting native vegetation.

Armed with tools and tree guards provided by the Watershed Landcare Nursery, the students rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Together, they planted native species along newly constructed contour banks, a strategy designed to slow water runoff and improve soil moisture retention. Mulching and watering followed to ensure the young plants had the best chance of survival. It was a powerful experience, reinforcing individuals’ critical role in restoring degraded landscapes.

Afternoons were devoted to creativity, with Laura Fisher and Maddi O’Brien leading an interactive art workshop. Students were invited to reflect on their connection to the landscape and channel their impressions into lino prints. These designs were then pressed onto a large collaborative mural, creating a stunning visual representation of their shared journey. This artistic process engaged students on an emotional level, deepening their understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

The two-day event was not only educational but also deeply inspiring. Cheryl Nielsen, one of the key organisers, noted the unique synergy created when art and ecology come together. “I’ve witnessed the transformative power of integrating art into environmental projects,” she said. “It enhances learning and leaves a lasting impact on participants.”

Watershed Landcare’s success with “Regenerate & Create” highlights its ability to deliver tailored, meaningful experiences that connect people to the land. Whether it’s students from Melbourne or local community groups, they offer bespoke programs that educate, inspire, and create lasting memories. If you’re looking for a unique adventure that combines learning with hands-on action, Watershed Landcare is ready to bring your vision to life.

This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Enabling Program, a collaboration between Local Land Services and Landcare NSW supported by the NSW Government.

 

Author: Maddison O’Brien, Local Landcare Coordinator, Watershed Landcare
Photos: Gus Armstrong via Watershed Landcare