Creating inner-city havens for native birds

Green-thumbed Sydneysiders are being invited to help the City of Sydney create new safe havens for native wildlife on National Tree Day.

The City will host community events on Sunday 29 July to plant shrubs and grasses to make habitats for small creatures such as birds and lizards.

City staff will work with locals to plant 1,000 plants at Sydney Park wetlands in St Peters and 500 plants at Glebe's Arthur Paddy Gray Reserve.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said National Tree Day was an opportunity for residents to reconnect with nature.

"Sydney has a unique urban environment where terrace houses and laneways meet old fig trees and the harbour foreshore," the Lord Mayor said.

"This National Tree day we want to inspire residents to nurture their own green spaces in the city - whether it's planting a tree in their own backyard or helping a Land Care group look after local parks. There are more than 400 parks and open spaces in our city covering 188 hectares of land so there's plenty of opportunity to get involved.

"Trees and plants are beneficial for all City residents, they reduce air pollution, bring shade to our parks and streets, and provide habitat for native birds and wildlife.

"We currently have 81,000 trees in our city, 44,000 of those line our streets, and we are committed to planting even more trees to make our city greener, healthier and more liveable."

Bryan Herden has lived in Glebe for 17 years. He'll be at the Arthur Paddy Gray Reserve event hoping to sign up residents for a new bush care group.

"When we first arrived in Glebe, I was surprised at the number and range of small birds that lived so close to the city, but we've seen this population decline to virtually zero in only a few years," Mr Herden said.

"By rebuilding habitat, we can encourage small birds such as the superb fairy-wren back into the area. I'm hoping to bring together a group of people who will help keep the reserve free of weeds and rubbish, as well as planting and nurturing new plants.

"I'm sure that a dedicated band of volunteers working with the City will make Paddy the most attractive small reserve in Glebe for both small birds and people."

National Tree Day was started in 1996 by Planet Ark and has become Australia's largest community tree-planting and nature care event. Over the past 22 years more than four million people have planted over 24 million trees and plants on National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day.

Deputy CEO Rebecca Gilling said Planet Ark was delighted to be part of the City's National Tree Day events.

"We hope to inspire, educate and recruit Australians to actively care for our unique land and create future generations of committed environmental custodians," Ms Gilling said.

"Restoring native landscapes through planting local provenance plants is vitally important for preserving the biodiversity unique to a given area, and helping to minimise the impacts of climate change."

City of Sydney National Tree Day events

When: Sunday 29 July 2018
Time: 10am to 12pm
Where: Arthur Paddy Gray Reserve, 57 Hereford Street, Glebe
Sydney Park, Sydney Park Road, St Peters

Please wear sturdy, covered shoes and be sun smart.

For more information, visit What's On:
whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/national-tree-day-sydney-park whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/national-tree-day-glebe

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Elaine Kelly.
Phone mobile 0477 362 550 or email ekelly@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, please contact Jack Begbie.
Phone 0481 759 580 or email jbegbie@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au