On Thursday 3rd July 2025, Greater Sydney Landcare hosted a Creating Canopies planting day at Whalan Reserve, located in the Blacktown local government area. This event marked another step in restoring habitat and increasing native tree canopy across Western Sydney.
Corporate Volunteers Dig In
A small but determined team of five corporate volunteers from Terraquip joined us to help plant 1,500 native trees and shrubs. With clear skies and cool weather, the conditions were ideal for planting. The group brought great energy and teamwork to the day, setting themselves the ambitious goal of completing the planting before lunchโand they did.
Giving Back Through Green Action
Corporate volunteering days with Greater Sydney Landcare offer teams the opportunity to contribute directly to meaningful conservation projects while fostering connection and teamwork in an outdoor setting.
Terraquipโs involvement at Whalan Reserve is a great example of businesses giving back to the community and supporting important environmental work in our region. Their efforts on the day helped lay the groundwork for long-term ecological benefits at the site.
Restoring an Endangered Woodland
The species planted were native to the Cumberland Plain Woodlandโan endangered ecological community that once stretched across much of Western Sydney. By restoring this ecosystem, weโre helping protect native wildlife and increase local biodiversity. Among the species planted were:
- Gum trees (Eucalypts)
- Wattles (Acacias)
- White feather honeymyrtle (Melaleuca decora)
- Black she-oak (Allocasuarina littoralis)
- Rice flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius)
- Sweet bursaria (Bursaria spinosa)
- Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa)
- Australian indigo (Indigofera australis)
A Big Day, A Bigger Vision
Greater Sydney Landcare staff led the day, including Corporate Engagement Manager Sabina Roe, Creating Canopies Project Manager Danielle Hughes, and Project Officer Alicia Harb Akins. They were supported on-site by Natural Resources Manager Bryce Doyle, Revegetation Officer Ryan Birtles, Environmental Field Officer Eoin Marnell, and two contractors from Apical, who helped prepare the site and assist with planting.
Although the volunteer group was small, with the extra hands and a strong sense of purpose, all 1,500 plants found their place in the ground.
Fuelled by Purpose (and Cake)
Volunteers enjoyed a relaxed morning tea of fruit, biscuits, and cake, with tea and coffee to warm up. After planting, the group wrapped up the day with a well-earned lunch of fresh sandwiches. Thanks to recent rain, the soil was wet and welcomingโno watering required this week.
Looking Ahead: 5,000 Trees in Total
Saturday will bring even more momentum, with community volunteers set to plant an additional trees, bringing the total number of plants installed at Whalan Reserve to 5,000. These efforts will help transform large open lawns into biodiverse habitat, providing food and shelter for native species and attracting pollinators to the area.
Partners in Canopy Creation
We extend our thanks to Blacktown City Council for supporting this project by providing the site, and to the passionate volunteers from Terraquip who gave their time and energy to create lasting impact.
Join Blacktownโs Bushcare Program
If youโd like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Blacktown area, you can volunteer to become a Blacktown City Council Bushcare volunteer, and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Get Involved in Creating Canopies
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
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 300,000 trees between 2020-2025 as part of the Greening our City program to help reduce urban heat in Greater Sydney. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.
