Greenfleet

Every year, on the 5^th of June, communities all over the world are invited to celebrate the environment and take positive actions to protect it.

Last month, Greenfleet along with Parks Victoria, Birds Australia, and event sponsor Hyundai, joined the rest of the world to celebrate forests on World Environment Day.

Greenfleet invited the community to help plant a biodiverse native forest along Cardinia Creek near Berwick.

"Greenfleet's goal is to increase the coverage of endangered vegetation communities and link remnant patches of vegetation to provide habitat and corridors for native wildlife," explained Greenfleet CEO Sara Gipton.  "A species of particular significance is the Eucalyptus fulgens or Green Scent Bark, as forests including this species have declined dramatically due to land clearing."

Thanks to a Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation grant and Greenfleet's generous supporters, the project will see an initial planting of 12,200 mixed native trees in 2011, including the Green Scent Bark.

"Ultimately, these trees will form a forest that not only takes carbon pollution out of the atmosphere and provides cleaner air to the community, but also helps improve the water quality entering Cardinia Creek and Western Port, and provides habitat for the native animals and birds of the region, protecting and enhancing existing biodiversity," added Reece Sandwith, Greenfleet forester in charge of the project.

On World Environment Day, 135 enthusiastic volunteers planted over 3,300 native seedlings, with the remainder planted by contractors in the following days.  "It feels good to volunteer for something that will have a positive impact for many years," said Greta, one of the eager participants.

Smiles could be read on every face, kids and adults alike were rapt to get their hands dirty for the environment and learn more about the benefits forests have for the planet.  "[It was a] great experience to show the kids that we need to help improve our environment," added Angela, another keen volunteer.