More than 100 students from Port Dalrymple, Star of the Sea and South George Town Primary Schools will join employees from Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium for its annual tree planting day.
This event, scheduled for Thursday, May 23, will assist Bell Bay Aluminium to revegetate land in the community and serve as a hands-on educational experience.
Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium General Manager Richard Curtis said the partnership not only enabled students to get their hands dirty but also provided an opportunity to learn about the environment and the role we all play in conservation.
“Our annual tree planting day is a much-loved event for employees and the George Town schools to come together, pull up their sleeves and collectively make a tangible impact on the environment,” Richard said.
“On Thursday, more than 3000 native tree seedlings will be planted on land owned by the smelter to re-establish this area as a biodiverse ecosystem for wildlife and our natural flora”.
The students will plant a diverse array of native species, including:
- Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle)
- Acacia melanoxylon (Australian Blackwood)
- Allocasuarina littoralis (Black Sheoak)
- Banksia marginata (Silver Banksia)
- Eucalyptus amygdalina (Black Peppermint)
- Eucalyptus viminalis (Manna Gum)
“Not only does this day create an appreciation of our natural environment, but the students also learn about the importance of teamwork and practical skills.”
The day is supported by George Town Rotary Club whose volunteers will treat the hardworking students to a delicious barbecue.