The Creating Canopies program helped reduce urban heat across Greater Sydney by restoring tree canopy and enhancing urban green spaces.

In partnership with Landcare NSW, we planted 309,637 native trees across Greater Sydney from 2020 – 2025, as part of the Greening our City initiative, which was funded by the NSW Government.

Building on the success of this program, our experienced team now offers Natural Area Management Services, bringing the same Creating Canopies expertise to landowners and land managers. From site assessments to weed management, we provide practical solutions and on-site project delivery to help restore natural areas.

Discover our Creating Canopies Natural Area Management Services.

Growing Sydney's Tree Canopy

Planting the final 200,000 trees in 3 years

Prioritising LGA’s with 30% canopy or less

Providing habitat for flora and fauna

Recruiting community volunteers to plant trees

Connecting people with nature and green spaces

The Creating Canopies Project planted 300,000 trees from 2022 - 2025

As Greater Sydney grows, more and more of it is affected by urban heat. This impacts on community access to the outdoors and connection to nature. We targeted heat-affected areas to help create canopies that cool the city. Tree canopies will help to create habitat for wildlife, tree diversity, and a cooler city creating spaces that invite people back into nature.

We worked with private and public landowners—our partners—to identify strategic sites and corridors that need additional canopy plantings that both provide shade and benefit local ecosystems. We worked with local experts and nurseries to make sure that we got the correct advice on native tree species for each site.

This project is also an opportunity for Landcare to increase awareness of volunteer opportunities across the Greater Sydney region and raise awareness of and interest in improving bushland. Our shared challenge is not only to get the trees in the ground but to monitor them and provide education to ensure they survive.

Greater Sydney Landcare wants to partner with you to improve the natural environment in your local area.