The City of Perth will launch its inaugural ‘Tree Month’ this May with a commitment to double the number of trees it plants in 2023 compared to the past three years.
From 2020 to 2022, the City planted around 500 trees a year and Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said this would double to more than 1,000 this year.
“We’re declaring May as Tree Month in the City to highlight the importance of preserving and increasing tree canopy and vegetation throughout the City,” Mr Zempilas said.
“During May we’ll be running a series of community planting days and activities to showcase how we can collectively make our City greener and preserve our tree canopy.”
Residents and workers will be invited to take part in activities such as community planting days, attend Greening our City workshops to learn about the importance of native vegetation, balcony gardening and growing food. There’s even the chance to win a verge make over.
Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said that the City was proud to be launching this initiative and reaffirming its commitment, through the Urban Forest Plan, to increase Perth’s tree canopy to 30 per cent by 2050.
“Trees are incredibly important in the City. Not only do they provide an important habitat for wildlife, they help cool the City, improve people’s sense of well-being and create a better environment for all.
“Of course, its not just the number of trees we plant but how they grow and contribute to the canopy over time. We’re committed to growing our urban forest with a variety of trees that will survive in our harsh climate and be enjoyed for generations to come,” Mr Zempilas said.
The City of Perth’s Urban Forest Plan is a 30-year strategic action plan, designed to promote the long-term benefits of tree canopy cover. The plan details how the City will contribute to increasing tree canopy from 19 per cent to 30 per cent over the next three decades.
The month-long program will focus on the revegetation of key areas within the City, such as East Perth’s Ozone Reserve and Point Fraser, West Perth’s Totterdell Park, Claisebrook and Northbridge’s Russell Square, while creating opportunities to bring residents and community groups together to share awareness of the value of trees and a sustainable greener future.
A total of 1,063 trees will be planted by the City in 2023. This includes more than 200 on Roe Street, 108 on Winthrop Avenue and 255 on National Tree Day.
The launch of Tree Month was celebrated with a community tree planting event at Point Fraser, the first of multiple planting days to help encourage the local community to take part in Tree Month, while providing opportunities to connect with nature and learn about the environment.
“What better way to work towards this goal than as a community? We’re encouraging our community to be involved in the revegetation of our beautiful City by taking part in our community planting days.
“For years to come, everyone will walk through the City knowing they contributed to the beautiful trees around them,” Mr Zempilas said.
Weekly community planting days will be held on a Wednesday and greening workshops with City Parks and Waste Education technical staff will be held around the City, with both events offering light refreshments.
