Local schools again celebrated National Tree Day by planting over 1000 trees across Busselton and Dunsborough. Over 150 students took part to connect with nature and learn more about conservation.
Students from Capel Primary, Geographe Primary and Cornerstone Dunsborough and Busselton were happy to get up close and personal with their natural environment.
Tree planting is helping the survival of an iconic local species, the critically endangered western ringtail possum, whose biggest threat is habitat loss and fragmentation.
GeoCatch project officer, Nicole Lincoln, said the students love the opportunity to get their hands dirty for a worthy cause.
“You have to admire the enthusiasm of these young students, who are proud to be actively caring for their local environment,” she said.
“The students have a good understanding of why we need to plant trees and the contribution they make to big issues like climate change, but also to conserving local wildlife. The more trees we can plant now, the more habitat there will be for ringtails and other wildlife in the future.
“Through National Tree Day, these students are creating a legacy of conservation that we hope they will continue to value into adulthood.”
GeoCatch supports schools to get involved in National Tree, with support from South West Catchments Council though funding from the National Landcare Program, and Toyota Busselton.
To find out more about Western Ringtail Possum conservation visit https://geocatch.asn.au/living-with-possums/
