Dig in and join National Tree Day events

Australia's National Tree Day is this Sunday, with hundreds of planting sites set up across the country. Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) will host its own event at Point Lonsdale's The Point, and is inviting the community to assist. L-R: BCN biodiversity team members Matt Crawley, Ashleigh Baldwin and Daniel Morrison. Photo: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

NATIONAL Tree Day event is shaping up to be a big day out locally, with organisers encouraging the community to attend.

Residents will get their hands dirty this Sunday as sites around the country take part in Australia’s National Tree Day.

Among the more than 100 planting sites, Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) will host its own at The Point in Point Lonsdale at 592-670 Shell Road from 10am to 1pm.

BCN executive officer and organiser Matt Crawley said guests will help plant a range of native plants to help restore and rejuvenate Coastal Moonah Woodland and Coastal Saltmarsh habitat at The Point in Point Lonsdale.

“This day will involve planting up to 1,000 individual plants, including moonahs, beard heath and beaded glasswort,” Mr Crawley said.

“All these plants provide habitat values for the flora and fauna of the Bellarine.

“It will be a fun filled day with planting, guarding and staking plants as well as identifying weed species and flora and fauna guide books provided.”

Bellarine Catchment Network Biodiversity Team members Matt Crawley, Ashleigh Baldwin and Daniel Morrison at The Point in Point Lonsdale.

BCN has hosted National Tree Day events for more than five years, and is eager to provide a setting for Bellarine locals to join together for a common cause.

“National Tree Day allows community members to come together to help revegetate the landscape,” Mr Crawley said.

“This includes using locally indigenous plants and creating wild corridors for important vegetation community including coastal saltmarsh and coastal moonah woodland.”

The City of Greater Geelong will also provide locals with a chance to participate in the nationwide initiative.

The city will return to the drainage basin at Lavender Drive Reserve this Sunday, July 28 from 9.30am to 1pm.

Last year, close to 350 local residents planted more than 3,000 trees there.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan welcomed everyone from families with young children to retirees to attend

“You don’t need to be a green thumb or have experience in planting trees to take part, as our staff will be there to guide you,” Cr Sullivan said.

“National Tree Day is a chance to make a positive contribution to our environment, connect with the broader community and spend time outdoors with friends and family.

“We’re excited to partner with Planet Ark again for National Tree Day, which is responsible for 27 million trees being planted across Australia by five million volunteers since 1996.”

To find your closest National Tree Day site, head to treeday.planetark.org/find-a-site