Locals plant seeds to greener future

PLANTERS from Geelong to Indented Head got their hands dirty Sunday morning for National Tree Day, joining 300,000 other Australians in planting trees across the country.

In Geelong, residents wandered down to Hamlyn Heights to replenish a section of the Ted Wilson Trail, behind Haines Reserve, planting an estimated 2,500 trees along the scenic path.

Councillor Sarah Mansfield assisted locals on the day.

“We’ve planted tens of thousands of trees and plants along the Ted Wilson Trail in recent years and you can see the long-term greening program really taking shape,” Cr Mansfield said.

“Events like National Tree Day are great at highlighting to younger people the value of direct action.

“They can plant trees in just one day, but the rewards of returning to the site and seeing their positive impacts can last a lifetime.”

At the other end of Portarlington Road, 20 excited community members attended a tree planting in Indented Head hosted by Bellarine Bayside.

The group planted around 600 indigenous seedlings to protect the regionally endangered coastal saltmarsh and enhance habitat for the local population of local Red-capped Plovers.

“National Tree Day is an ideal way to encourage people to connect with the natural values of our coast by helping to protect it and it is great to see the looks of achievement at the end of the activity,” Bellarine Bayside CEO Bruce Elliot said.

“National Tree Day creates a great sense of camaraderie because you know that there are thousands of people around the country participating in environmental activities just like you”

Head to www.treeday.planetark.org to see the full impact of National Tree Day.Residents from as far as Armstrong Creek made their way to Bellarine Bayside’s event.