Council provides 2920 native plants for National Tree Day

Wildlife corridors across Redlands Coast will be enhanced after Redland City Council donated 2920 native plants to support National Tree Day on Sunday 1 August.

This includes 920 plants for 23 local schools and childcare centres to plant on National Schools Tree Day on Friday 30 July and 2000 plants for a community planting at IndigiScapes in Capalaba on 1 August.

Mayor Karen Williams said the local plantings were a great opportunity for residents to support Council’s aim to plant one million native plants in the Redlands by 2026.

“The One Million Native Plants initiative is part of Council’s commitment to a greener Redlands Coast and, since 2016, we have planted about 450,000 native plants,” she said.

“This project aligns perfectly with Planet Ark’s National Tree Day initiative which, since its launch in 1996, has become our country’s largest community tree planting event.

“Locally, it is the perfect opportunity for residents to get out and enjoy the great outdoors while providing future habitat for our wildlife.”

Cr Williams said that, since 2002, Council had provided about 15,320 native plants to local schools as part of the annual tree planting initiative.

“Each school also has the chance to request up to 100 native plants from the IndigiScapes Nursery throughout the year for their school,” she said.

“We hope to encourage all our schools to use local native plants in their gardens and grounds instead of introduced, non-native species.

“This in turn will help the wildlife in the area, and will increase and enhance the biodiversity of the Redlands.”

Division 7 Councillor Rowanne McKenzie said National Tree Day was one of the regular community planting events run by Council’s Bushcare program.

“The free family-friendly event at IndigiScapes on 1 August will help to protect and expand important habitat, providing homes and food for local wildlife,” Cr McKenzie said.

“Our community plantings are popular events, often attracting hundreds of volunteers who are eager to do their part for our natural environment.

“They also generate a great sense of community pride and environmental awareness, especially for children.”

Community planting day details:

Date: Sunday 1 August, 9 – 11am

Location: IndigiScapes Nursery, 15 Runnymede Road, Capalaba

Bring: drinking water and wear enclosed shoes and sunsmart clothing

Council supplies: plants, tools, sunscreen, insect repellent and gardening gloves

Register: eventbrite.com.au