On Sunday 1^st August, Belmont Wetlands State Park participated in Planet Ark’s National Tree Day celebrating 25 years of the event. This was the first time BWSP had hosted a National Tree Day event that is now Australia’s largest community tree-planting and nature protection event.

It has now grown into Australia’s largest community tree-planting and nature protection event. Planet Ark is asking Australians to help plant one million new native trees and shrubs across the country.

Whilst COVID-19 restrictions forced many local organisations to cancel their own National Tree Day activities, the BWST team believed their COVID Safety Plan addressed all of the risks that were associated with the outdoor event.

Belgravia Leisure’s Northern NSW Area Manager and Belmont Wetlands Land Administrator, Nicole Dunn attended the National Tree Day supporting the Belmont Wetlands State Park and said, “we believed strongly that this event was exactly what our community needed. The large number of people who registered and attended proved we were right! A great day was had by all while protecting our natural environment.”

The trees and shrubs were grown from seeds that had been collected within the Belmont Wetlands State Park. Planting occurred in two key corridor areas identified as being significant for the wetlands birdlife and other smaller animal species within the park.

“Volunteers and staff were surprised by the number of families with young children who participated. Even the local MP, Jodie Harrison attended the event and joined in the fun! The environmental messages being delivered by not only staff but parents and carers was just wonderful,” Nicole concluded.

The event was a massive success with over 60 people participating, helping to plant over 750 local trees and shrubs. The day concluded with a thank you BBQ for all those that helped the team populate some significant areas of the park with plants.