On Saturday 25th May, Greater Sydney Landcare hosted a Creating Canopies planting at Dirrabari Reserve in Pemulwuy in the Cumberland Local Government Area.
We were thrilled to be joined by over 80 volunteers on the day, ready to get their hands dirty for a good cause. This mighty group planted a phenomenal 2,900 native trees and shrubs in just under two hours!
In time, the plants installed will grow to 3 metres and above, and will help reduce urban heat by creating cooling shade and reducing ambient air temperature through evapotranspiration.
The wonderful volunteers joining us on the day included many different groups including locals, DSS, the Interfaith Network, and a crew of friends planting in honour of their friend’s 30th birthday. Thank you to all who contributed!
On this day, Dirrabari Reserve was a melting-pot of cultures, laughs and good vibes, with everyone chipping in for a greener tomorrow.
“This is our local park,” said one volunteer. “We walk through here regularly and can’t wait to watch the trees grow and know that we helped create a more usable park.”
Thank you to Cumberland City Council for volunteering Dirrabari Reserve for this Creating Canopies planting.
This day was led by Natural Resources Manager Bryce Doyle, Bush Regenerator Supervisor Aimee Hancock, Bush Regenerator Rhiannon Beaton, and Creating Canopies Project Officer Alicia Harb-Akins.
Volunteers installed gum trees (eucalypts), White-feather Honeymyrtle (Melaleuca decora), wattles, Black She-oak (Allocasurina littorialis), Bursaria spinosa, Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa), Australian Indigo (Indigofera australis), Rice Flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius) and other natives suited to this area.
Volunteer Feedback
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, and highlighted the educational and social benefits of the event:
- “My first outing at one of these events. I learned a bit about planting trees, made some new friends and did some good for the future of our community.”
- “More needed. Thank you and the staff were professional and friendly and helpful.”
- “It was a great initiative to which I felt great to be part of. I hope I can attend more of these in the future.”
- “Planting trees – they will be fully grown in some time is something that amazes me and make me have hope in our future.”
- “The social aspect was really good as was the professional presentation and guidance.”
- “I was glad to see so many kids attending that and how excited they were about the process.”
- “I know that we have lost so much vegetation and habitat in Sydney. It was a great opportunity to be part of this project putting some back for our environment and wellbeing.”
- “It was great to see family and community groups coming together. Looking forward to the next event.”
- “The ridge along Pemulwuy could use a tonne of trees. It’s so hot.”
Join Cumberland’s Bushcare Program
If you’d like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Cumberland area, you can volunteer to become a Cumberland City Council Bushcare volunteer, and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Get Involved in Creating Canopies
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
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.
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.
