City of Greater Geraldton, Media Release, 8 July 2021
The community’s ambitious plan to green Greater Geraldton by planting a million trees has just surpassed a major milestone of 500,000 trees or shrubs planted.
The Million Trees project was launched in 2011 following a series of World Cafés where the City of Greater Geraldton asked the community what would make it an even better place to live by 2029 – the number one answer was to green the City region.
Ten years later, local resident Veronica Foster said she was surprised to hear that one of the 50 trees and shrubs she had planted in her yard had met a major Million Trees project milestone.
“I can’t believe I was the one who actually planted the 500,000th tree when so many people have been planting trees or bushes and registering them towards the project,” she said.
“I planted trees and shrubs in my yard because they are important to the birds and animals, they are good for us and they simply make me happy.
“I would encourage everyone who hasn’t yet planted a tree to do so.”
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn is urging people who have planted trees or shrubs to register them to ensure one million target is met.
“With eight years left to go in the project and less than 500,000 trees to register I am calling on everyone who has planted trees or shrubs in the last ten years and hasn’t yet registered them towards the project to do so,” he said.
Community members who register plantings towards the project before the end of the year will go into a draw to win a tree.
This year the City will be planting thousands of trees and shrubs in public opens spaces and reserves including 140 new street trees, all of which will be counted towards the project.
Community members, groups and local businesses who have planted trees or shrubs of any kind, including fruit trees can make them count towards the Million Trees project by filling out the online registration form on the City’s website here. Alternatively, you can also email janellk@cgg.wa.gov.au or call 9956 6945.
