Orange City Council’s Environmental Community Engagement Program has returned to the city’s parks and reserves after COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of several community tree planting days.
The long-running program encourages members of the community to take part in planting days and other activities to regenerate the local environment, increasing biodiversity and improving habitat for local native animal species.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd is pleased the program is back up and running and encourages residents to play a part in protecting our local environment.
REGENERATE: Trees planted at a previous event.
“Now that the weather is warming up, especially with all the rain we’ve had, it’s the perfect time to take part in a tree planting day in the city’s beautiful wetlands, reserves and open spaces,” he said.
Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee chair Cr Stephen Nugent said the Environmental Community Engagement Program has hosted more than 226 events since 2014, attended by almost 4200 volunteers.
“As well playing an important role in the care of our surroundings, it’s a great opportunity to learn about the native plants, animals and biodiversity of our area,” Cr Nugent said.
“The planting days are a fun way for us all to part for the environment, and there’s always a barbecue lunch to enjoy with fellow volunteers afterwards.”
Participants have planted more than 18,500 native plants in that time, as well as conducting woody weed control, water bug and water quality surveys, nesting box monitoring, native plant and bird identification.
It is hoped another 1000 native trees and shrubs will be planted across seven community planting days between now and Christmas:
- 30 October – Sullivan Reserve, Discovery Hill
- 31 October – Waratah Wetlands
- 7 November – Coogal Wetlands
- 13 November – Detention basin bank, cnr Clergate Road and Quartz Street
- 21 November – Waratah Wetlands
- 5 December – Millard Park
- 19 December Lake Canobolas
All events start at 10am and participants can just turn-up, sign-in and start planting.
