Since the last AGM our focus has been on connecting people to the natural environment, with the well-documented aim that when people are better connected to nature and through social connection, they value the natural environment, and gain mental and physical health benefits.
With 2 successful grant applications by Kate Holmes on behalf of the Greening Group, to the Social Inclusion Action Group, the Greening Group ran:
Plant-A-Tree Day on Sunday 26th May 2024 with 85 plants to give away for people to plant. Christine selected & purchased suitable plants, Karen printed up signs.
65 people registered with 40 known attendees including some late attendees. 35 plants were taken with planting instructions. Another 20 plants were given out to 14 people at the Waminda Community lunch at the CWA hall on Wed 12th July. Some money left over was used to buy more plants, guards & stakes to give out with the remaining 30 at sessions like Food Co-op, Waminda morning teas.
On the day, people enjoyed the Wayapa session run by Kate, and the Nature Games session run by Rachel, as well as the planting demonstration and information sessions run by Christine and Kate, & the BBQ cooked and served by Benalla Lions.
Community education provided through a Nature Games session included:
The Wayapa Wuurrk session combined:
Benalla Council National Tree Day Event – Planting. 28th July 2024
BSFG received notification from the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at BRCC, of the Council’s Event with an invitation to share this among our Members and Supporters. Many from BSFG attended this planting day, in Council land adjacent to Psaltis Pde. It was a positive and enjoyable day, thanks to BRCC and the Regent Honeyeater Project.
Loss of mature trees. September 2024
BSFG received a copy of an email from a BSFG supporter to the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at Council, which was shared with the BSFG committee and Greening &
Cooling group. It detailed the Supporter’s disappointment that 4 mature gums providing habitat, had been bulldozed in land north-east of the last industrial building in Irwin Rd, in a paddock adjacent to Sydney Rd, and included reasons why it is important to keep mature trees. We believe the writer followed up with their own questions to the ES Co-ordinator, but answers were not shared with BSFG.
The Greening Group is concerned about any potential tree loss in our Council area, and continues to look for ways to prevent this and for opportunities to plant suitable trees, if possible in collaboration with Council. We encourage people to write to the council with any concerns about tree cover and habitat trees, at any time.
Note that to have maximum effect, emails can be addressed to each councillor individually (email addresses are on the Council website), the CEO and the relevant Council employee.
With 2 successful grant applications by Kate Holmes on behalf of the Greening Group, to the Social Inclusion Action Group, the Greening Group ran:
Plant-A-Tree Day on Sunday 26th May 2024 with 85 plants to give away for people to plant. Christine selected & purchased suitable plants, Karen printed up signs.
65 people registered with 40 known attendees including some late attendees. 35 plants were taken with planting instructions. Another 20 plants were given out to 14 people at the Waminda Community lunch at the CWA hall on Wed 12th July. Some money left over was used to buy more plants, guards & stakes to give out with the remaining 30 at sessions like Food Co-op, Waminda morning teas.
On the day, people enjoyed the Wayapa session run by Kate, and the Nature Games session run by Rachel, as well as the planting demonstration and information sessions run by Christine and Kate, & the BBQ cooked and served by Benalla Lions.
Community education provided through a Nature Games session included:
- Facts about trees
- Ecosystem dynamics
- How trees function
The Wayapa Wuurrk session combined:
- Wellbeing
- Mindfullness and
- Environmental education
Benalla Council National Tree Day Event – Planting. 28th July 2024
BSFG received notification from the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at BRCC, of the Council’s Event with an invitation to share this among our Members and Supporters. Many from BSFG attended this planting day, in Council land adjacent to Psaltis Pde. It was a positive and enjoyable day, thanks to BRCC and the Regent Honeyeater Project.
Loss of mature trees. September 2024
BSFG received a copy of an email from a BSFG supporter to the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at Council, which was shared with the BSFG committee and Greening &
Cooling group. It detailed the Supporter’s disappointment that 4 mature gums providing habitat, had been bulldozed in land north-east of the last industrial building in Irwin Rd, in a paddock adjacent to Sydney Rd, and included reasons why it is important to keep mature trees. We believe the writer followed up with their own questions to the ES Co-ordinator, but answers were not shared with BSFG.
The Greening Group is concerned about any potential tree loss in our Council area, and continues to look for ways to prevent this and for opportunities to plant suitable trees, if possible in collaboration with Council. We encourage people to write to the council with any concerns about tree cover and habitat trees, at any time.
Note that to have maximum effect, emails can be addressed to each councillor individually (email addresses are on the Council website), the CEO and the relevant Council employee.
The Art of Connection event in January 2025 was run by Kate Holmes and involved other members of the Greening and Cooling action group - this report is included on the Connecting and Engaging the Community action group page.
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