It was a very chilly but enthusiastic day of planting, as residents gathered at Muston Park, Chatswood, to celebrate National Tree Day. It’s a social highlight on the WEPA calendar, with the team meeting members, residents, councillors and getting to know our new Willoughby Council GM, Hugh Phemister.
Over 100 participants, accompanied by an entourage of eager offspring, spent the morning refining their horticultural skills under the guidance of helpful Willoughby Council staff. A dedicated group of volunteer Bushcarers has nurtured the greenspace here for over 10 years and Tree Day activity bolstered their efforts with around 900 new plantings!
Council’s free plant give-away was received enthusiastically by attendees, with a range of local native greenery on offer, from ground cover to gum trees. Bushland officers provided advice to match backyard descriptions with the most suitable options. By the end of the day over 400 plants had been taken away to enhance backyards and balconies across Willoughby.
We’re hoping that this new greenery will thrive, to increase critical wildlife habitat and to encourage greater appreciation for nature amongst residents. A change in attitudes and habits will assist in reversing the canopy decline that is occurring in the Willoughby LGA. ArborCarbon data released last year recorded a fall from 35.6% in 2019 to 33.9% in 2022 – close to a 5% loss in just a few years!
Healthy green space delivers climate benefits, storing carbon and mitigating urban heat impacts as the planet continues to warm. It’s good for our health, providing shade, clean air and enhancing wellbeing. It is also critical for our local wildlife, struggling to survive in a hostile urban environment.
Advocating for our green space is a WEPA priority. We will continue to ask Council to deliver education programs and improve monitoring of development in vulnerable areas. With the biggest canopy declines occurring on residential land, there must also be stronger penalties for illegal tree removals, accompanied by incentives for protection.
Unfortunately, the day finished with a sad observation when we noticed cloudy water pouring through Scotts Creek from the Penshurst Street entry point. A Council officer reported the pollution incident, however the evidence had disappeared by the time it was investigated in the following days. While the council phone line operates 7 days a week, follow through on the weekend is not always possible. One wonders if perpetrators are active on weekends for this reason. Please stay vigilant and call Council when you notice suspicious behaviour, or harm being done to our environment.