National Tree Day
18 August 2008
Students and Staff Selecting Native species for planting outside Building K
Kangan Batman TAFE confirmed a commitment to sustainable practices last month by taking part in National Tree Day, Australia's biggest community tree planting event. Representatives from the Institute gathered on July 25 and planted over 200 ground covers, shrubs and eucalypts, which are all native to this area.
National Tree Day is sponsored by Toyota and the AMP Foundation and since its establishment in 1996, has seen over 1.5 million volunteers have plant over 11.5 million native trees and shrubs.
Planting trees on National Tree Day (or any other time for that matter!) is such a great way to be actively involved in making a positive contribution to our environment. Planting trees not only reduces the impact that CO2 and other greenhouse gasses have on climate change, but also contributes a great deal to biodiversity and a decrease in the erosion of soils.
Kangan Batman TAFE's National Tree Day participation began with the identification of two garden beds, which had been somewhat neglected as a result of age and critical building upgrades. These two garden beds were located behind and to the south of building K and to the east of building E. Planting began around 8.30am and finished up around 10am.
ISS Facility Management (Grounds Division) donated Osmocote fertilizer, wetting agent and a truck load of mulch, as well as the use of a power auger. Brite Plants - Wholesale Nursery, kindly donated the 200 native plants. The vital labour element was supplied by the Institute's Built and Natural Environments - Horticulture Group.
Institute Security and Environment would like to acknowledge and thank the following people for their continuing assistance:
- Mark Kennedy (Victorian manager), Ian Ward and Shane O'Brien (grounds staff) from ISS Facility Management
- Ben Kelly (nursery manager), Ryan Deeper and Ryan Young from Brite Plants
- Brett Macleod (manager Built and Natural Environments), Jeff Alcock and all teaching staff from the Horticulture Department for contributing towards this wonderful cause and making it such a success
For more information about National Tree Day visit http://treeday.planetark.com or call the National Tree Day Hotline on 1300 88 5000.
Don't forget when you are at the Broadmeadows campus to take a stroll over to the rear of Building K and have a look at the wonderful new environment which has been created.
