Ballina Shire Council, GeoLINK and Rous Council are inviting the community to roll up their sleeves and help restore the iconic Lennox headland, at the 21st Lennox Head Community Tree Planting Day on Friday 5 June.
Organisers say, ‘This year marks a major milestone — with the top of the headland now filled up with community plantings over more than two decades since the partnership between Council and GeoLINK began, with a shared vision to return native littoral rainforest to the iconic headland’.
‘Since the inaugural planting in 2003, when just 20 volunteers came together to plant 140 seedlings, the event has flourished into a well-loved community tradition. To date, more than 1,800 volunteers have planted thousands of native seedlings’.
Ballina Shire Council’s Natural Resource Officer, James Brideson, said the event is a testament to what long-term community action can achieve.
‘Each year, the local community come together to regenerate this precious coastal environment, helping to restore what was once present pre the 1800s. What started as a small-scale project has grown. We’ve now planted over 18,000 trees and covered over 8 hectares,’ said Mr Brideson.
‘We could not have done this without the schools, businesses and local volunteers who show up year after year to contribute their time and energy to restoring this special place,’ added Mr Brideson.
Organisers say the event reflects ‘Ballina Shire Council’s long-term commitment to boosting native biodiversity and strengthening the resilience of our natural landscapes. Restoring this coastal headland plays a vital role in supporting threatened ecosystems and creating essential habitat for native wildlife’.
‘The annual event also marks World Environment Day, making it a fitting opportunity for locals to take direct action for the planet, close to home.
‘The event will be held at the top of Lennox Headland from 9am to 12noon. Park at Pat Morton lookout and walk up the headland and follow the signs. Participants need to wear sun protection and closed-in shoes and are encouraged to bring digging tools if they have them.
‘Council will provide native seedlings, mulch, water, and some planting tools. A free barbecue and refreshments will also be available, thanks to the generous support of the Lennox Head business community and local volunteer groups’.
Further information:
‘The species for the headland restoration project were selected in consideration of the historical studies and include species such as Tuckeroo, Coastal Banksia, Glossy Laurel, Umbrella Cheese Tree, Riberry, Beach Birds Eye, Scentless Rosewood and Sweet Pittosporum.
‘In 2011, five rare Coastal Fontainea (Fontainea oraria) seedlings were kindly provided by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (NRCMA) with further plantings of the critically endangered species now on the Lennox Headland and surrounding headlands planted by the NSW Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
‘The whole planting list combined, on achieving canopy formation, forms a littoral rainforest and becomes an endangered ecological community listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016’.
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