Over 80 students from local schools in George Town will get their hands dirty and feet muddy planting trees this Thursday with Bell Bay Aluminium.
Primary school students from Port Dalrymple, South George Town and Star of the Sea Catholic College will swap pens and computers for gardening gloves and trowels as they team up with employees from Bell Bay Aluminium to plant a variety of native trees.
Each year, Bell Bay Aluminium hosts an annual tree planting day to teach younger school children how to plant trees and the importance of doing so for the environment, instilling an appreciation of our natural environment.
Bell Bay Aluminium General Manager Richard Curtis praised the community collaboration behind the occasion.
“This annual event is a great team effort with our local schools and the Rotary Club of George Town, creating an educational and practical experience for our local primary school students,” he said.
“On Thursday, we aim to plant 2,000 native trees on old farming land owned by the smelter to re-establish ecosystems where local fauna and flora can thrive once again.”
Bell Bay Aluminium’s Superintendent for Environment, Amby Gemmel said “Our annual tree planting day provides a hands-on experience for local students to help the environment.”
“We enjoy working with the young people of George Town to teach them about native plant species in our region and the benefits tree planting can provide to our wildlife. The students also learn proper planting practices.”
“Every tree the students plant will help preserve the environment in the George Town region and contribute to the future of the planet,” said Ms Gemmel.
The day is supported by the Rotary Club of George Town who will cook a BBQ for the hungry volunteers at the completion of each tree planting session.
Students will plant a mix of:
- Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata)
- Australian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon)
- Black Sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis)
- Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata)
- Black Peppermint (Eucalyptus amygdalina)
- Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis)