The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is urging Sydneysiders to dig deep and plant at least one tree each to help green the city and pull their weight for the environment.
Group Deputy Secretary of Place, Design and Public Spaces at DPIE, Alex O’Mara, said the Everyone Plant One campaign was aimed at increasing the city’s canopy cover to reduce heat, improve air quality, boost shade and contribute to the target of planting a million trees across Greater Sydney by 2022.
“We’re already more than halfway to achieving this ambitious goal,” Ms O’Mara said, “with more than 600,000 trees already in the ground and around 266,000 ready for planting.”
She said it was now time to “call on Sydneysiders to pick up a shovel and help reach the finish line” by planting a tree and registering it in the campaign.
“Trees make a huge difference to the environment and our lives,” Ms O’Mara said.
“They provide shade, privacy, homes for wildlife and help to cool our communities (and) they also have immense benefits for our health and wellbeing, let alone adding beauty to a home.”
She said that by taking part in Everyone Plant One contributors were helping to build a greener future and cooler suburbs for the community to enjoy for years to come.
Ms O’Mara called on all Sydneysiders to get involved by planting a tree, big or small, but making sure it’s an appropriate tree for the environment.
“We are very lucky to have a rich range of suitable trees for planting on private land in Sydney,” she said.
“From native fruit trees like the Australian finger lime trees, to colourful trees like the pink-tipped bottle brush, or easy-care trees like the old man banksia, there’s an abundance of varieties to pick from.”
Ms O’Mara said that whether your tree is in your backyard or on your balcony, every one of them will get the city one step closer to its goal.
More information about the Everyone Plant One program, including details on how to register, can be accessed at this PS News link.
