After six years of inspiring residents to plant locally native species, Wagga Wagga City Council's One Tree for Me program is preparing to celebrate its final chapter.
Since the campaign's launch in 2021, monthly One Tree for Me seedling giveaway events have been held each winter, and into early spring, in suburbs across the city as well as several villages, in an effort to get seedlings into as many different parts of the community as possible.
In August 2026, the program reached a major milestone, distributing its 65,000th seedling and achieving its six-year target ahead of schedule.
Environmental Education Officer Christina Reid says while the program's target has been reached, there is still one final opportunity to get your bag of native seedlings to plant in your backyard.
"We are inviting residents to join the celebration at our last One Tree for Me seedling giveaway at the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens on Saturday 5 September," Ms Reid said.
"Whether you've collected seedlings in previous years or are discovering the program for the first time, this is your chance to be part of a lasting environmental legacy
"Every locally native plant added to a garden provides food, shelter or nesting opportunities for local wildlife and helps create a greener, more biodiverse future for our region."
The giveaway initiative has provided a range of trees, shrubs, grasses and groundcovers helping to increase the presence of locally native vegetation throughout the region.
It has helped transform urban gardens across the LGA, with thousands of residents embracing native plants to create habitat for wildlife and strengthen connections with the natural environment.
"Along the way, the initiative has highlighted the important role locally native plants play in supporting a range native animals, birds and other wildlife, while contributing to healthier, more resilient ecosystems," Ms Reid said.
"In turn, these plants have provided valuable habitat and food sources for locally native pollinators, many of which have evolved alongside specific plant species and depend on them to complete their life cycles."
The final One Tree for Me giveaway is at the Botanic Gardens (near the Rose Garden) this Saturday 5 September, from 10am to 2pm, or until seedlings run out.
One Tree for Me is part of Council's Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanha 2020-2030 which aims to increase awareness and address a wide range of key threatening processes impacting biodiversity.
