In the last week of July, at 17 sites throughout the shire, including in Yea, schools, volunteers, Landcare groups and community organisations held planting activities.
A highlight of this year’s program was the strong involvement of young people, with 13 schools participating across Murrindindi and 222 students contributing to planting activities.
Council-supported planting events involved 280 participants, contributing to a combined 402 volunteer hours.
Working alongside Upper Goulburn Landcare Network, Kinglake Landcare and local schools, council provided students with a hands-on opportunity to learn about biodiversity, habitat restoration and caring for their local environment.
The thousands of new plants will help improve biodiversity, enhance local waterways and create valuable habitat for native wildlife.
Students will be able to see the trees and shrubs they planted mature over the coming years, creating habitat for native wildlife and improving local environments.
Sustainability and assets portfolio holder Cr Paul Hildebrand said National Tree Day demonstrated the positive outcomes that could be achieved when communities worked towards a shared goal.
“National Tree Day is a wonderful example of people of all ages coming together to improve our local environment,” Cr Hildebrand said.
“Many of these plants will still be thriving decades from now.
“It’s fantastic to see young people helping restore local habitats and making a lasting contribution to their communities.”
He said the program was particularly special months on from the January bushfires.
“Following the January fires, we’ve seen how strongly our community values the natural environment,” Cr Hildebrand said.
“Programs like National Tree Day give our communities a practical way to invest in the long-term health and resilience of the landscape we all share.”
Council also celebrated National Tree Day through its Read, Learn and Win pollinator-themed program.
The initiative received 36 entries from children across Yea, Alexandra and Kinglake, with four winners each receiving a pair of binoculars.
Every participant also received a native plant for home to encourage an ongoing connection with nature and biodiversity.
Council thanked all participating schools, Landcare groups, volunteers and community organisations for helping to make this year’s National Tree Day activities a success and for their ongoing commitment to creating a greener and more sustainable Murrindindi.
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