On Wednesday 10th September 2025, Greater Sydney Landcare welcomed a team of 19 enthusiastic volunteers from Forsta to Bardwell Valley Golf Club. Their mission? To plant thousands of native trees and shrubs and help transform a once-degraded patch of land into a thriving habitat.
Planting for Canopies & Cooler Cities
The team planted around 2,700 trees and shrubs from the Sydney Coastal Sandstone Foreshores Forest plant community, which is native to the area. This effort is part of our Creating Canopies project, which increases canopy cover across Greater Sydney to reduce urban heat and create healthier environments.
The planting site has undergone a major transformation thanks to Creating Canopies. For months, Greater Sydney Landcare worked alongside the golf club to clear weeds and rubbish, preparing the ground for new life. The result will be a much healthier ecosystem, offering food and shelter for local wildlife and shade for future generations.
This is what the planting site looked like after its first spray to remove weeds. It was previously overrun! Photo taken in April 2023. 
This is what the planting site looked like after its first spray to remove weeds. It was previously overrun! Photo taken in April 2023. 
This is what the planting site looked like after its first spray to remove weeds. It was previously overrun! Photo taken in April 2023. 
This is what the planting site looked like after its first spray to remove weeds. It was previously overrun! Photo taken in April 2023. 
This is what the planting site looked like after its first spray to remove weeds. It was previously overrun! Photo taken in April 2023.
A True Test of Team Spirit
We have to hand it to Forsta โ they showed remarkable resilience. Despite a rainy forecast, they persevered through a drenching 25 mm of rain on the day. Ponchos and gumboots were the uniform, and while our gardening gloves ended up soaked, there was a silver lining: the plants didnโt need watering in afterwards! This shared challenge no doubt turned the day into a memorable team-bonding experience.
Together, the team planted an impressive variety of species including gum trees (Angophoras, Corymbias, Eucalypts), teatrees (Leptospermums), paperbarks (Melaleucas), banksias, sheoaks (Allocasuarinas), wattles (Acacias), Cheese Tree (Glochidion ferdinandi), native Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia), Tick Bush (Kunzea ambigua), and Large-leaf Hop-bush (Dodonaea triquetra). This rich diversity will support local biodiversity and create a resilient new habitat.
A Shared Effort, A Lasting Impact
Bayside Councilโs Environmental Coordinator, Peter Ryan, joined us on the day to thank the volunteers and Greater Sydney Landcare. He highlighted the importance of the planting for reducing heat, providing shade, and creating wildlife habitat โ benefits that will be felt well beyond the golf course.
In total, 3,000 native trees and shrubs were added at Bardwell Valley Golf Club, with Greater Sydney Landcare staff finishing the planting the following day. This achievement was possible thanks to the collaboration between our team, Forsta, Bardwell Valley Golf Club, and Bayside Council.
Thanks to All Involved!
After the wet morningโs hard work, volunteers were treated to a hearty lunch courtesy of the golf club โ roast chicken, hot chips with gravy, and a fresh bocconcini and tomato salad were a welcome reward. The meal capped off a day of muddy boots, teamwork, and lasting contribution to the environment.
The day was led by Greater Sydney Landcareโs Creating Canopies Project Manager Danielle Hughes, Natural Resources Manager Bryce Doyle, Project Officer Alicia Harb Akins, and Environmental Restoration Officer Peter Cartwright, who commended the Forsta volunteers for their commitment and collaborative spirit despite the tough conditions.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Bayside
If youโd like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Bayside LGA, you can become a Bushcare volunteer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
Get Involved in Creating Canopies
If youโd like to find out how to get free trees planted on your land, visit our Register Your Site for Trees page.
Come along and plant trees with Creating Canopies. Find out what events we have coming up on Greater Sydney Landcareโs Eventbrite page.
About Creating Canopies
Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare are planting 200,000 trees as part of the Greening our City program to help reduce urban heat in Greater Sydney. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.
