The St Mary’s Landcare team of 40 students from Years 7 to 10, spent Tuesday, 26 July planting over 250 trees on the reserve in support of making a positive difference to improve the natural environment around the school.

For 10 years, the St Mary’s community has worked to rehabilitate Kennedy Creek by planting thousands of native trees, shrubs and grasses for a range of benefits, including improved soil and water quality. They have also provided protection for native species of flora and fauna, and have our own greenhouse to germinate and grow native plants.

MP Jodie Harrison spent time with the school’s Landcare team on Tuesday, planting grasses and trees in the reserve.

“The 10 years of planting the students have done has improved the water quality of Kennedy Creek incredibly,” said Ms Harrison.

“To have as many Landcare days a year as St Mary’s is really fabulous to see and is something school and community members can enjoy the benefits of.”

Earlier this year, St Mary’s received an Environmental Sustainability Grant from Lake Macquarie City Council to support their incredible efforts and allow them to finish the school greenhouse.

Planet Ark’s tree day initiatives are Australia’s largest community tree-planting and nature care event and is this year celebrating 20 years.

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