Council and community to plant 1800-plus seedlings as part of National Tree Day 2019

More than 1800 seedlings will be planted across the Wagga Wagga region as part of National Tree Day 2019.

Wagga Wagga City Council has donated 335 seedlings to nine local schools and preschools for Schools National Tree Day on Friday 26 July; and another 1500 for the community planting event on Sunday 28 July.

Co-hosted with Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare, the community planting day will be held at Birramal Conservation Area on the corner of Deakin Avenue and Coles Street.

Located between Lloyd and Springvale, Birramal Conservation Area contains a number of threatened and endangered species including Box Gum Woodland, which is listed as critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

“Many of the threatened and endangered animals in our Local Government Area rely on this vegetation community to survive,” Environmental Education Officer Sam Pascall said.

“The 1500 different grasses, shrubs and tree seedlings to be planted at the Birramal Conservation Area will help connect fragmented vegetation.

“It will provide vital movement corridors for native animals such as the locally endangered squirrel glider, which require a corridor of trees to move safely from location to location in search of food, habitat and a mate.”

Mrs Pascall said as well as strengthening the habitat for native species, this year’s National Tree Day will also have broader environmental benefits.

“This year, Council is introducing corflute tree guards that can be reused for years to come instead of the soft plastic tree guards,” she said.

“Making the switch enables us to reduce our single-use plastic and reuse items where we can.”

If you are keen to get your hands dirty for a good cause at the community planting event, volunteers are asked to wear warm clothing, enclosed footwear and bring along a pair of gardening gloves.

Planting equipment will be provided. Volunteers will be treated to a free sausage sizzle and seedlings to take home.

For more information, contact Mrs Pascall on 1300 292 442 or www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/enviroevents