On Saturday 12th October 2024, Greater Sydney Landcare hosted a Creating Canopies planting at Rydalmere’s Jim Crowgey Reserve in the Parramatta LGA.
The overcast morning proved to be perfect planting weather for the 23 volunteers who arrived ready to make a difference. By the end of the day, this dedicated group had successfully planted 1,021 native trees and shrubs and around 100 grasses. In addition to planting, the volunteers also installed weed mats, pinning them firmly to protect against potential flooding caused by surface runoff in this natural amphitheatre setting.
This planting extended upon another completed in September 2024, by Creating Canopies and Hills Grammar senior school students—who installed around 1,500 native plants. Creating Canopies staff also planted here, taking the number installed at this reserve in 2024 to 2,736 trees and shrubs and 215 grasses.
Planting Along The Ponds Walk
The planting site sits adjacent to The Ponds/Subiaco Creek, along the scenic The Ponds Walk—a 7.7 km track that stretches from Carlingford to Rydalmere. The area is a thriving habitat for local wildlife, including birds, turtles, insects, and even the occasional snake. King Parrots, Wood Ducks, Pacific Black Ducks, White-faced Herons, and kookaburras and many other birds can be spotted here.
The Ponds Walk holds significant ecological value. As the City of Parramatta states, the Ponds Walk “runs throughout the Ponds Creek Catchment which blends from Blue Gum High Forest dominating the upper ridgeline into Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest and Shale-Sandstone Transition Forest as you walk down stream through Dundas Valley. Along the lower reaches of Subiaco Creek, Sydney Coastal River-flat Forest occur. These bushland remnants are listed as Endangered Ecological communities under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.”
“The original vegetation in…Rydalmere is seen in the remaining bushland remnants along the Ponds Walk…These bushland areas are small glimpses of the landscape that supported the [Wallumedegal or Wallumattagal Clan of the Dharug Nation] for thousands of years.”
“The Ponds/Subiaco creek area was one of the earliest areas settled by European colonists. The first land grant in the area was made in 1791 to Phillip Schaeffer [and] was the fourth land grant made by Governor Phillip.” The area once housed a vineyard and was visited by Charles Darwin during his travels.
Native Trees for a Cooler, Greener Future
The volunteers planted gum trees (eucalypts and angophora), Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera), wattles (acacias), paperbarks (melaleucas), tea trees (leptospermums), Tick Bush (Kunzea ambigua), Hakesas, and other native plants suited to this area.
These plants will form a canopy and mid-storey to create habitat and reduce urban heat in the future through shade and evaporative cooling. This work assisted in efforts to restore the local plant communities which were cleared or disturbed in the past.
Learning in Nature
The day was led by Natural Resources Manager Bryce Doyle, Bush Regenerator Supervisor Aimee Hancock, and Project Officer Alicia Harb-Akins. A special guest, Tom from Hooked on Nature, led engaging nature safaris around the site, giving volunteers a unique opportunity to explore the rich biodiversity that exists in even small parcels of bushland.
Participants were introduced to the fascinating world of insects, learning how to net and identify various species. The group gained a deeper understanding of the often-overlooked items in nature that serve as crucial habitats, as well as the significance of species like jumping spiders, scorpions, and cockroaches (Blattodea) in the ecosystem.
Thank You To All Involved
After a productive morning of planting and learning, the volunteers enjoyed a well-deserved break, refuelling with a delicious lunch of sandwiches and cookies. The Creating Canopies team praised the volunteers for their energy and commitment, noting the positive impact the group made on the day.
Thanks to all who planted, and a huge thank you to Parramatta City Council for volunteering this site for increased canopy cover. Together we’re creating a cooler, greener Sydney for all.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Parramatta
If you’d like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Parramatta LGA, you can become a Bushcare volunteer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Get Involved in Creating Canopies
If you’d 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 Landcare’s Eventbrite page.
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
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.
