On Friday 9th August 2024, Greater Sydney Landcare welcomed 9 HSI employees for a corporate volunteering day at Eastwoodβs Jim Walsh Park. This initiative, in collaboration with the City of Ryde, was part of Creating Canopiesβan ongoing effort to increase canopy cover across Sydney and combat rising urban heat.
Supporting a Critically Endangered Ecological Community
The HSI team arrived bright and early, ready to roll up their sleeves and plant native trees and shrubs. The plants chosen for the day were specifically selected to match the local Blue Gum High Forestβan ecologically significant and Critically Endangered plant community.
Among the native species planted were gum trees including Blackbutt, Sydney Blue Gum, and Smooth-barked Apple, along with Turpentine, Forest Oak, native Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia), and Rough-fruited Pittosporum (Pittosporum revolutum).
The group also planted wattles (acacias), Sweet Bursaria, Native Peach, Australian Indigo, and Tick Bush. These selections are not only suited to the areaβs unique environment, but will also contribute to the creation of much-needed shade and cooler spaces in the future.
Rising to the Challenge for Our Environment
Despite the tight four-hour schedule, including time for lunch, Creating Canopies Project Manager Danielle Packer laid down the challengeβgetting 1,350 plants into the ground in such a short time was a tall order. But the HSI team was more than up for it. With enthusiasm and determination, they powered through to complete the task by 1 pm. What a job well done.
Bush Regenerator Rhiannon Beaton was also on hand to provide expert guidance, demonstrating the best planting techniques to ensure the highest survival rates for the new plants. Both Danielle and Rhiannon commended the HSI team for their energy and tenacity, praising their ability to meet the dayβs ambitious target with ease.
Creating a Greener Future For All
After all the fun and hard work, the team enjoyed a well-deserved al fresco lunch of wraps and sandwiches, soaking in the natural beauty of Jim Walsh Park. Located in a residential area, this new planting will soon become a haven for local wildlife and a cooling oasis for the community to enjoy.
A special thanks goes out to the City of Ryde for providing the siteβcontributing to the creation of greater canopy cover which will help reduce urban heat in the years to come. And bravo to the HSI team for their outstanding efforts in making this day such a success.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Ryde
If youβd like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Ryde 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.
