It’s a celebration as 200,000th tree is planted in Campbelltown

Launched in 2020, Creating Canopies aims to plant 300,000 native trees and shrubs across Greater Sydney by the end of 2025.

However last Saturday it was time to celebrate the planting of the 200,000th tree, right in the heart of Campbelltown.

Local MP Greg Warren joined Turlough Guerin, the CEO of Landcare NSW for the milestone planting at Campbelltown Hospital, pictured above.

The event included a sausage sizzle lunch for volunteers, giveaway of native plant seeds, raffles/door prizes and a Campbelltown koalas talk.

“Since 2020, we’ve been planting trees across Greater Sydney with the help of volunteers,’’ said Danielle Packer, project manager for Creating Canopies, in a speech on Saturday.

“Our project, run by Greater Sydney Landcare and Landcare NSW, is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Greening Our City initiative.

“Trees are nature’s air-conditioners. They provide shade and cooling to reduce urban heat and make our city more liveable. In Australia, heatwaves cause more hospitalisations than natural disasters, so cooling measures like tree plantings are crucial,’’ Ms Packer said.

“Our focus is on planting areas with less than 30 percent canopy cover.

“Since 2020, we’ve held over 280 plantings, attended by over 5,000 volunteers, in 20 LGAs of Greater Sydney.

“To date, we’ve planted 200,000 native trees and shrubs, which we are here today to celebrate! And we still have 100,000 more to go, 1,000 of which we will plant here today, so thank you for joining us,’’ she said.

“Trees reduce heat, pollution, and noise, and provide shade that lowers energy costs.

“Canopy cover improves both physical and mental health, including through encouraging outdoor activities.

“So thank you to all our volunteers and partners who made the achievements of Creating Canopies possible. By planting today, we’re leaving a lasting legacy for future generations, and helping to create a cooler, greener Greater Sydney for all,’’ Ms Packer said.