Students celebrate Schools Tree Day at the Gippsland Lakes

Students from five schools will plant new wildlife habitat and join cultural activities as part of the National Tree Day celebrations at the Gippsland Lakes on Friday 24 July.

Over 100 students will plant hundreds of native trees and attend sessions on bug identification and birdwatching, as well as spear-making and dance workshops led by Indigenous presenters from the Gunaikurnai community.

The day will begin at Heart Morass with a traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony led by Alfie Hudson, a Gunaikurnai elder.

Every student will plant their own tree to mark National Tree Day, as well as learning about the rich cultural connections between the Traditional Owners and the Gippsland Lakes environment.

By involving students in the practical conservation of their local environment we can build important bonds between young people these internationally important wetlands. The students also love to be able to do something hands-on that connects with the bigger picture.

We’re is committed to helping the next generation to become committed custodians of this unique landscape, and we believe that having a deep understanding of the culture of a location is central to that.

The events will be attended by students from Loch Sport, Araluen, Briagalong and Nambrock Primary schools. It is a Love Our Lakes Project funded by the Victorian Government’s Gippsland Lakes Environment Fund.

To join one of our free National Tree Day events take a look at our event listings.