By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Green-thumbs will be doing their bit to beautify Dandenong Wetlands as part of National Tree Day.
On Sunday 29 July, volunteers will plant river red gums and understorey habitat.
Educational activities about macro-invertebrates, native fish and bird watching as well as a free barbeque will be held at the event..
Participants are advised to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hand-towel and suitable footwear.
According to Greater Dandenong Council’s urban street tree strategy, there is a shortage of street trees, especially ones offering large shade.
The region’s estimated 55,000 street trees have a canopy coverage of about 9.9 per cent of the municipality – a low quantity by Melbourne council standards.
Over the next 10 years, the council aims to fill the 10,000 vacant tree sites in urban Greater Dandenong .
It hopes to increase tree canopy coverage by 15 per cent by 2028.
The benefits are filtering air pollution, higher property values, providing wildlife habitat, reducing stormwater runoff and reducing surface temperatures.
Noble Park was ahead of the metropolitan average for tree canopy but southern Greater Dandenong suburbs lagged.
This is attributed to lopping of river red gum woodlands, the vast drained swampland and agricultural and industrial uses.
The National Tree Day event is at Dandenong Wetlands, 270 Stud Road, Dandenong North.
Parking is at Dandenong Stadium. Bookings essential on 8571 1702.
