On Thursday 25th September 2025, Greater Sydney Landcare held a planting day at Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury Campus in Richmond as part of the Creating Canopies project. Creating Canopies aims to reduce urban heat across Greater Sydney by planting trees in low-canopy areas.
For the third year in a row, around 70 senior students from Hills Grammar rolled up their sleeves to help. They were joined by about 20 students from the Richmond Agricultural Centre: Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education, making it a fantastic team effort.
Planting for a Cooler Future
Under the guidance of Landcare staff, students learned how to plant tubestock properly to give each seedling the best chance of survival. Together, they planted and watered in 2,500 native trees and shrubs from the Castlereagh Ironbark Forest plant community type, which is listed as Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act.
The students installed a wide variety of species including gumtrees (Eucalypts, Angophoras, Corymbias), hakeas, banksias, sheoaks (Allocasuarinas), paperbarks (Melaleucas), teatrees (Leptospermums), bottlebrushes (Callistemons), wattles (Acacias), Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa), Tick Bush (Kunzea ambigua), Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa) and Rice Flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius).
Growing Habitat & Hope
These plants will grow into vital canopy and mid-storey habitat for local wildlife. Once established, these trees will also provide much-needed shade and cooling, helping to combat the urban heat island effect.
Young Volunteers with Big Energy
The students brought plenty of enthusiasm to the day, planting carefully and eagerly taking on new skills. They were polite, friendly, and genuinely interested in learning about conservation. Their teamwork and positive spirit made the planting both productive and enjoyable.
A True Team Effort
The day was supported by a strong team from Greater Sydney Landcare, including Danielle Packer, Bryce Doyle, Alicia Harb-Akins, Ryan Birtles, Eoin Marnell, Peter Cartwright, Kylie Burrows, and Melanie Wagner, alongside Katelyn Caldwell from Landcare NSW.
Kristine Beazley, the Principal of the Richmond Agricultural Centre: Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education extended a special thanks to Peter Cartwright. “He worked with our students most of the morning and the feedback from my staff was that he was wonderful with the students and provided outstanding incidental learning as they were working together. They also loved that he studied on the Hawkesbury campus—they felt they had that additional connection with him.”
Uniting for Nature
A big thank you goes to:
- Western Sydney University for their ongoing partnership and commitment to 30,000 new native trees and shrubs planted on the Hawkesbury Campus between 2023–2025.
- The Secret Garden Community Hub for so graciously and generously sharing their facilities with us.
- Hills Grammar for joining us for the third year running—what a legacy!
- The Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education High School for planting with us for the very first time.
Together, we’re creating cooler, greener places for Greater Sydney.
Volunteer for Bushcare in the Hawkesbury
If you’d like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Hawkesbury LGA, you can become a Bushcare volunteer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Get Involved with Greater Sydney Landcare
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
About Creating Canopies
Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare are planting 300,000 trees as part of the Greening our City program to help reduce urban heat in Greater Sydney. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.
