Ninety schools across Melbourne’s west have planted 3,911 native trees through Greater Western Water’s (GWW) Trees for Schools program, helping to create cooler, greener school environments and a more climate-resilient future.
Trees for Schools aims to increase tree canopy cover, reduce stormwater run-off to waterways, improve green spaces and educate students about the environmental benefits of trees.
Participating schools received native tube stock trees, as well as stakes, guards and planting advice to help establish healthy, long-lasting trees on school grounds.
GWW General Manager Strategy and Partnerships, Kessia Thomson said the increasing demand for the program reflected the growing recognition of the important role trees play in creating healthier communities.
“Trees play a crucial role within our water cycle by releasing water vapour that turns into rainfall, helping to strengthen our soil layers with their root systems, which is important for sustainable water management,” Ms Thomson said.
“We are proud that we delivered and co-funded the Trees for Schools program because it not only helps grow greener communities but also provides students with a meaningful opportunity to learn about the important environmental benefits trees provide, from improving air quality and cooling urban areas to supporting biodiversity,” she said.
Since launching in 2021, the program has grown more than fourfold, expanding from 22 schools in its first year to 90 schools in 2026. The initiative builds on earlier urban greening efforts that have supported schools across Melbourne’s west since 2015.
The program is delivered through a partnership between GWW and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) through the More Trees for a Cooler Greener West program.
This collaborative approach has continued to expand the program’s reach. In 2024, GWW and DEECA aligned their separate school tree programs for the first time, bringing together all 11 local government areas across the GWW service region and the More Trees for a Cooler Greener West partnership.
Schools participating in the program help increase urban canopy cover while providing shade, habitat for wildlife while reducing stormwater run-off to local waterways, and supporting climate change adaptation across Melbourne’s growing western region.
The Trees for Schools program has delivered trees to primary and secondary schools across Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley, Wyndham and Yarra, as well as parts of Hume, Macedon Ranges, Melbourne and Moorabool.
