Wagga Wagga City Council's popular One Tree for Me program is returning for its fifth year of seedling giveaways, with the first event at Henwood Park on Thursday 12 June.
The initiative was launched in 2021 and aims to see 65,000 native seedlings planted throughout our local area over a six-year period.
Environmental Education Officer Christina Reid said Council will hold four free seedling giveaway events this year.
"We'll be giving away another 8000 seedlings to the community from June to September because that's the best time to get your seedlings in the ground," Ms Reid said.
"We choose different locations for the giveaways each time to try to spread them around so no matter where you live, you'll be able to get some seedlings.
"All you have to do is show up! You'll receive a bag containing a small number of seedlings that are native to the local area and suited to the local climate.
"Our One Tree for Me initiative encourages our community to grow the right sort of plants to support native wildlife.
"Whether you have a large property or a small urban block, your own backyard can become an active part of an urban bush corridor that helps native wildlife, and if you do it well, will also beautify the local region."
One Tree for Me is part of Council's Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanha 2020-2030, which sets Council's path to protecting and enhancing biodiversity in our local area.
In addition to the seedling giveaway, Council also holds community tree planting activities on community land and supports initiatives such as the Schools National Tree Day campaign and National Tree Day.
Ms Reid says Council is full of gratitude to the local community for their strong support for the One Tree for Me initiative, which not only provides free seedlings but also promotes information about locally native plant species.
"This is the second last year of the campaign as next year we are set to meet the target of 65,000 trees," Ms Reid said.
"So far, we've handed out 60,421 seedlings as a result of the campaign, so we are well on track to meet our target!"
The first One Tree for Me seedling giveaway for 2025 will be held on Thursday 12 June from 2pm at Henwood Park, Kooringal, near the children's playground.
The team will be there until 6pm or until all seedlings are given away.
