On Thursday 8th August 2024, Greater Sydney Landcare welcomed 18 enthusiastic corporate volunteers from CommBank, in partnership with Landcare Australia. Under clear blue skies and warm sunshine, the CommBank team rolled up their sleeves to contribute to our Creating Canopies project.
About Creating Canopies
Creating Canopies is a transformative initiative aiming to plant hundreds of thousands of native trees and shrubs across Greater Sydney, particularly in local government areas (LGAs) with less than 30% canopy cover. This effort is part of a broader mission to reduce urban heat. Greater Sydney Landcare is leading the charge in partnership with Landcare NSW, with proud support from the NSW Government.
By September 2024, the project will have successfully planted 200,000 native tree and shrubs across our city since its inception in 2020. And weβre not stopping thereβanother 100,000 native plants are scheduled for planting by the end of 2025.
CommBankβs Contribution to Creating Canopies
The CommBank volunteers joined our Creating Canopies team for a day of hands-on environmental stewardship, digging the holes and planting 450 native trees and shrubs at Sir Joseph Banks Park in Botany, in the Bayside LGA.
The ideal weather allowed the CommBank team to fully appreciate the fresh air, physical activity, and the soothing sounds of birdsong in this beautiful green space. The park features a large pond that is home to Black Swans and other waterbirds, Eastern Water Dragons, turtles and many other native animals.
The species planted by the CommBank team are suited to this area and will increase local native plant diversity. The group installed Red Bloodwoods (Corymbia gummifera) β a type of gum tree, as well as banksias, wattles (Acacias), hakeas, Tick Bush (Kunzea ambigua) and Coast Teatree (Leptospermum laevigatum).
These plants will not only provide canopy cover in the future, but also increase habitat for small birds and other native fauna. The CommBank group was even treated to sightings of native finches, adding extra significance and joy to their work.
After a well-deserved, delicious catered lunch amidst the parkβs green spaces, the CommBank team wrapped up the day by watering in the newly planted trees and shrubs and placing stakes beside each one to ensure efficient monitoring in the future.
A big thank you to all involved for making this day a success and for your outstanding efforts.
The day was led by Creating Canopies Project Manager Danielle Packer and Bush Regenerator Rhiannon Beaton, who were deeply appreciative of the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the CommBank volunteers.
Thank You For Creating Canopies in Greater Sydney
Sir Joseph Banks Park is in Botany, located near Port Botany and not far from Sydney Airport, in the Bayside LGA. Bayside is an area where canopy cover is critically lowββThe percentage of tree canopy across Bayside is one of the lowest in Sydney at around 12%. The average is around 20% canopy cover in other Councils in the Greater Sydney area.β
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Bayside Council for partnering with Greater Sydney Landcareβs Creating Canopies project to help increase canopy cover in the LGA.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Bayside
If youβd like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Bayside LGA, you can become a Bushcare volunteer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
Get Involved in Creating Canopies
If youβd like to find out how to get free trees planted on your land, visit our Register Your Site for Trees page.
Come along and plant trees with Creating Canopies. Find out what events we have coming up on Greater Sydney Landcareβs Eventbrite page.
About Creating Canopies
Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare are planting 200,000 trees as part of the Greening our City program to help reduce urban heat in Greater Sydney. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.
