The Springfield Lakes Nature Care (SLNC) group is on a mission to plant 500 native trees at Opossum Creek this weekend.
The environmental group is currently calling for volunteers who would like to lend their green thumbs to the cause at a free community tree planting event on Sunday.
Environment and Sustainability Committee chairperson Councillor Russell Milligan said Ipswich City Council will provide the 500 native trees for the event.
“Council is committed to empowering our community to make a positive impact on the natural environment here in Ipswich,” Cr Milligan said.
“SLNC’s community tree planting day is a great opportunity for residents to get involved in making Ipswich a greener and more liveable city.
“Council is providing hundreds of trees for the event through our Bushcare program.
“Through the program, we work with volunteer groups to regenerate bushland and parks in Brookwater, Rosewood and North Ipswich.”
SLNC’s community tree planting day is part of a wider revegetation project at Opossum Creek, which also received a grant from the Australian Government’s Communities Environment Program.
Grant funded contractors removed invasive weeds to help prepare the site for the trees set to be planted this weekend.
SLNC president Luise Manning said the community tree planting day would help repair the area’s rare ecosystem that provides habitat to many different species.
“Opossum Creek is a lovely place and the revegetation project will help enhance the native species including the endangered tusked frog that inhabits the creek, together with many other vulnerable and important species that have been observed in the surrounding area,” Ms Manning said.
“The area is home to many kangaroos, swamp wallabies, brush turkeys and birds.
Springfield Lakes Nature Care’s community tree planting day
When: 9am to 11am on Sunday, 2 August
Where: Opossum Creek Revegetation Site, Central Parklands off Lomandra Court Brookwater
What to wear: long pants, closed-in shoes and a hat.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and watering can if possible. A limited number will be available on the day.
Sunscreen and hand sanitiser will be provided.
A light morning tea will be provided.
Bookings are essential. Register now via Eventbrite.
You must observe social distancing while onsite.
Do not attend if you are unwell.
“On any given day you can enjoy the sounds of a variety of birds, such as eastern whipbirds, bronze-wing pigeons, noisy friarbirds and rainbow lorikeets.”
Ms Manning said volunteers taking part in the community tree planting day could also benefit from a dose of the great outdoors.
“Planting and getting connected to the environment in your local community is also good for mental health,” she said.
“Research has shown that being outdoors and viewing nature activates areas of the brain linked with the dopamine reward system, triggering happiness and feelings of wellness.”
