Students from Lismore Primary School and Derrinallum P-12 College volunteered to assist revegetation on Mount Elephant on National School Tree Day.
Lismore Landcare Coordinator Karen O’Keefe and Mount Elephant Community Management Inc. organised the volunteer day and 70 children from Lismore Primary and Derrinallum P-12 College attended the event on the mountain on July 29th. The revegetation of Mount Elephant on National School Tree Day was initiated in July 2000 and since has been running annually.
National School Tree Day is the largest single environmental care activity in Australian schools, and each year 2500 schools nation-wide participate in revegetation activities.
Approximately 350 trees were planted on the western side of Mount Elephant near the old quarry site, beside the trees planted last year by Derrinallum College’s year 7 groups. The indigenous tree species which were planted this year include Drooping Sheoak, Blackwood and Silver Banksia. The trees from the planting effort last year are thriving, and the same is hoped of this year’s planting.
New assistant Lismore Landcare coordinator Eleanor Fox said it was great to see so many students excited and motivated to plant trees on a day which was pretty chilly. “The students handled the work with enthusiasm, and the day was a fantastic way to get involved in community conservation. It was excellent to see how much the children loved Mount Elephant, and a number of students told me stories which included their families experiences in the area.”
A big, big thank you to all the students, teachers and volunteers from the Mount Elephant Community Management Inc. who helped out during the day.
A community tree planning day on Mount Elephant is also planned for next Mount Open day on Sunday September 4th, all welcome. For further details please contact Group President Gert Stammberger on 03 5596 2192