UNSW joined Greenfleet to plant native trees in Lucas Heights Reserve.
Since 2022, UNSW has partnered with environmental not-for-profit organisation Greenfleet to offset its scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions (from fuel and natural gas consumption) by planting native forests. UNSW’s participation in the program helps restore native ecosystems, build critical habitat for wildlife, restore water quality and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Each year, UNSW students and staff are invited to participate in a local tree planting event. On 15 August 2024, Melissa Nouel, UNSW Sustainable Built Environment Manager, Andrea Aquino, The Producers Volunteer, and Jordan Vink, Ferrari Lab LEAF Representative, joined a team of Sydney volunteers to plant and water around 1100 native trees in Lucas Heights Reserve, Sutherland. The species planted included Ironbark Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus paniculata) and Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera), which helps restore the endangered ecological community known as the ‘Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest’. This forest is legally protected and may provide potential habitat for koala and possum populations and extend habitat for the region’s other wildlife species.
“It was such a great experience to meet and work alongside other Greenfleet partners, getting our hands dirty to support our common cause of nature restoration,” said Melissa Nouel. “Participating directly highlights the health and wellbeing benefits from working in nature and the hard work the Greenfleet crew puts in on a regular basis.
“Restoring nature is a critical action to mitigate and reverse the impacts of human activity on our ecological systems. I invite everyone to support this cause in any way they can.”
Interested in greening our campuses? Check out UNSW Urban Growers initiative or get in touch at sustainability@unsw.edu.au to share your suggestions.
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