On Friday 16th May 2025, Greater Sydney Landcare brought together 11 dedicated volunteers to install 1,089 native plants next to Thirlmere’s Ernie Smith Bridge, in the Wollondilly Shire.
This event was part of our Creating Canopies project—an initiative focused on planting hundreds of thousands of native trees and shrubs in areas with low canopy cover across Greater Sydney to reduce urban heat island effects in the future.
Over 1,000 New Plants in the Ground
These new plants will help cool the local area, boost biodiversity, and provide habitat for native wildlife. The planting was also strategically located along Redbank Creek and its adjacent water retention pond to assist in controlling erosion, filtering water and enhancing the site’s appearance.
Community Spirit on Display
The volunteers came from near and far—one couple joined us from next door, while others travelled from Redfern and beyond. Some were using their employer-provided volunteering days, including participants from ecological and environmental organisations.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
While the volunteers, guided by Project Manager Danielle Hughes and Project Officer Alicia Harb-Akins planted 600 native trees and shrubs, across the road the Creating Canopies field team installed a further 489 native plants. Natural Resources Manager Bryce Doyle, and Revegetation Officers Michael Keith, Esteban Zepeda, and Ryan Birtles ensured the plants on that side of the road got off to a great start.
A Planting with Purpose
This site was chosen to improve the ecological health of the riparian (riverbank) zone. The species selected are well suited to both wet and dry conditions, helping to create a resilient and self-sustaining landscape. The plants installed were from the Cumberland Moist Shale Woodland and Cumberland Shale Hills Woodland plant community types, which are found locally.
The planting mix included a variety of local natives such as gum trees (Eucalypts & Corymbia), tea tree & paperbarks (Leptospermum & Melaleucas), she-oak (Allocasuarina), Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus), Lilly Pilly (Syzgium smithii), bottlebrushes (Callistemon), wattles (Acacias) and more. Wollondilly Shire Council requested that hakeas—known for their spiky leaves—be planted in clumps to give small birds refuge from more aggressive species, which will provide more diverse habitat here in the future.
Valiant Volunteers Unvanquished
“It poured at one point, but the volunteers kept at it, donning raincoats and ponchos, and continued with the job,” said Alicia. Dani added, “They were incredible and didn’t give up. We really appreciated their help and great attitudes!”
After all their hard work, the group enjoyed a chat over a well-earned lunch of sandwiches and wraps.
Positive Feedback and Lasting Impact
All feedback received rated the event as ‘excellent’, with volunteers strongly agreeing that it was well organised with helpful staff. They valued connecting with other volunteers and reported improved social wellbeing from participating. One volunteer said, “Great event. Well organised and very enjoyable.”
The volunteers’ favourite parts of the event? “Great to connect with nature, give back, and connect with new people,” said one volunteer, while another enjoyed “planting and chatting with staff and volunteers.” Participants reported learning about “how to plant and ensure survival of trees, native species, weed management, [and] restoration and revegetation [practices.]”
Thank You For Making a Difference
Thank you to Wollondilly Shire Council for providing this site for increased canopy cover, and thanks to the fantastic volunteers who came out to plant for a cooler, greener Greater Sydney for all.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Wollondilly
If you’d like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Wollondilly 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 you’d 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 Landcare’s Eventbrite page.
About Creating Canopies
Landcare NSW and Greater Sydney Landcare are planting 300,000 trees from 2020-2025 as part of the Greening our City program to help reduce urban heat in Greater Sydney. Proudly funded by the NSW Government.
