This Sunday, 2nd August, is National Tree Day. As stated on the event's website, "National Tree Day is a call to action for all Australians to put their hands in the earth and give back to their community". Due to COVID-19 risks, official public planting events have been cancelled this year. But of course we can all still plant trees within our own bubbles, or take a leaf out of Kath's book and hug your favourite trees! 

If you would like to add your photo to this National Tree Day blog please send your photo to our YAN Landcare Coordinator. 

 YAN’s Chair Kath McGuirk practices what she preaches and is hugging four Box Gum Eucalyptus species for National Tree Day. The photos include a Yellow Box, an Apple Box, a Candlebark, and a Blakely's Red Gum.

Wendy Tuckerman (Member for Goulburn in NSW Legislative Assembly) visited the Yass Landcare Nursery in late May and was impressed with the voluntary efforts to support bush fire recovery in our broader region. Below is a screen shot of Wendy's Facebook post, and you can see the original here.

June 5^th is World Environment Day. You may be thinking “so what”?

The idea of having a special day to focus on the environment emerged in the early 1970s, and it was soon formalised by the United Nations General Assembly.

Since 1974, there has been a World Environment Day on June 5th every year. It has been used as a platform to raise awareness, support action and drive change for a healthier global environment. Each year has a theme; this year it’s ‘Biodiversity’.

It can be sobering, if not overwhelming, to think about the pressures on biodiversity on the global scale. Luckily at a more local level there is a lot we can do to leave a positive legacy for the plants, animals, and other organisms that constitute thriving ecologies.

Yass Gorge is a refreshing success story, and is a place we can visit regularly to experience the beauty and tranquility that results from local restoration.

Thanks to the hard work of local volunteers, Yass Gorge has been transformed over the past 30 years. These efforts are ongoing. Over six days in April this year, exotic weeds were removed from seven hectares in the north eastern end of the gorge, including Wild Plum, Blackberry and Hawthorn. Later this year more native plants will be planted.

Also, Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups and Friends of Yass Gorge successfully applied for funds from Local Land Services to undertake a flora and bird survey, fox management, native tree and shrub planting, as well as develop a Fire Management Plan for Yass Gorge.

There is a lot that we can do at a local level. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved.

Check out the wonderful booklet on Yass Gorge by clicking on the cover photo below.

The majority of Landcare members participating in the South East Local Land Services funded Paddock Tree project collected either their sheep or cattle sized mesh tree guards over the ANZAC weekend, and thankfully the next week the Yass region had good rain to settle in newly planted trees. Overall this project has resulted in 380 new paddock trees which will provide habitat and food sources for woodland birds. The Yass Landcare group is already thinking about a second round for Autumn 2021, which is a good reason to join your local Landcare group so that you can participate in this worthwhile project.