Students across the Alpine Shire rolled up their sleeves last week and dug deep for Planet Ark’s National Tree Day.
In partnership with the Alpine Shire Council's sustainability and open spaces teams, as well as the Myrtleford and Upper Ovens Landcare groups, students from local schools planted hundreds of native trees, shrubs and grasses across Bright and Harrietville last Thursday, 24 July.
Students in Dederang, Myrtleford and Tawonga are joining in with more native tree planting this week.
The Myrtleford and District Landcare & Sustainability Group Inc. and the Upper Ovens Valley Landcare Group had to postpone their planned community planting days last Sunday due to wet weather.
MDLSG president Paul Reser said their community tree day will now go ahead this Saturday, 2 August beginning at 9:30am at the same location on Apex Lane, leading into Apex Park.
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The UOVLG is yet to advise on another date and time for their scheduled Freeburgh tree-planting workshop.
Plantings have been carefully chosen to support local biodiversity and restore vital habitat, including for one of our region’s most iconic and now endangered visitors: the Gang-Gang Cockatoo.
With their distinctive crests and creaky-door call, these much-loved birds rely on mature trees and diverse under-storey for nesting and food.
They favour eucalypts, wattles and introduced hawthorns and depend on old tree hollows for nesting, which can take decades to form.
Alpine Shire residents can help by planting these species at home and protecting established trees wherever possible.
National Tree Day has been growing strong since 1996, with the Alpine Shire Council proudly supporting it with local schools since 2015.
"I'm very proud to say this is the tenth year we have worked with local students, teachers, parents and volunteers from across Alpine Shire to celebrate Planet Ark's National Tree Day," Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas said.
"This important initiative not only supports revegetation of endemic and Indigenous flora throughout our public lands, but also teaches young people how to care for the land by ensuring prioritising local plantings to recreate natural habitats for native animals."
Cr Nicholas thanked the passionate staff, parents and volunteers for their continued participation year after year.
"As much as we all care about our environment, it can be challenging to find time within our busy schedules to prioritise the care required," she said.
"Thank you to everybody who has participated over the past 10 years and to those who continue to support our young people to develop a stronger appreciation for our local flora and fauna.
"I also extend my sincerest thank you to the multiple Landcare committees and group members across Alpine Shire, who consistently give their time to care for our lands."
All trees, shrubs and grasses are sourced from Park Lane Nursery in Wangaratta, which is not-for-profit social enterprise which provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities.
