It's World Environment Day on 5 June and a great time to celebrate the amazing open spaces we have in Maroondah and the vital role our parks and bushland reserves play in creating thriving communities.
It's also a chance for us to consider the role we play as individuals and to re-evaluate our daily actions in being kinder to the planet.
Celebrated annually on 5 June, World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.
This year's campaign, #OnlyOneEarth, highlights the need to reset the balance with nature through transformative changes in how we eat, live, work and move around.
Whether it's creating your own indigenous garden, going paperless, carpooling to work, joining a local environment friends group, or eating and buying locally, the small changes we make can have a huge impact on the environment.
Creating a positive change takes a global effort, from the smallest actions of individuals to those taken by local communities, schools, businesses and world governments.
2022 City Nature Challenge – thanks for taking part Maroondah
Mobilising the power of 'citizen science' to monitor our birdlife, insects, wildlife, plants and reporting pollution is just one of the many ways we can all do our bit to protect the planet.
Thanks to our community's efforts in the recent 2022 City Nature Challenge, we're continuing to work together to build a record of the stunning biodiversity found in Maroondah, which increases our ability to manage and protect it.
During the four-day challenge period (29 April to 2 May), a total 1183 observations were made in Maroondah and over 340 species recorded, with local nature-lovers uploading their photos of wild plants, animals and fungi using the free iNaturalist mobile app.
The City Nature Challenge is an international effort to document nature in cities, with this year's event tallying over 1.6 million observations globally.
Stay informed of Maroondah's participation in future citizen science events by visiting our Discovering Nature webpage
Immerse yourself in nature
Maroondah is home to one of the largest open space networks in metropolitan Melbourne, with more than 400 parks and reserves that cater for recreation, relaxation and fitness.
Parks are really important for the health and connectedness of a community. They are also important places for local plant and animals to call home.
Studies have also shown that getting outdoors into nature can be beneficial to our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It can help to reduce stress and feelings of isolation, promote calm and improve our mood.
See our Parks and Playgrounds webpage for an easy-to-use guide to Maroondah's parks, reserves and amenities.
Plant a tree or indigenous garden
Tree planting is one of the simplest and most effective ways of tackling climate change caused by greenhouse gas.
Trees provide oxygen and limit carbon in the atmosphere. They reduce air pollution, provide food and shelter for wildlife, minimise erosion and maintain healthy soil, and absorb sunlight as energy.
Maroondah is home to a number of rare and locally or regionally significant indigenous species. Building your own indigenous garden can strengthen existing corridors and increase the number of habitat pockets within Maroondah.
Download a copy of the Indigenous Garden booklet, a collaboration between CRISP Nursery and Maroondah City Council, for lots of practical advice for the home gardener.
