The Bug Rug site in Sunshine West is abuzz with excitement as the Friends of Kororoit Creek (FOKC) gear up for their most ambitious planting project yet.
On Sunday, July 28, the community will come together for a day of conservation, celebration, and camaraderie.
With a lofty goal of planting 4000 grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees, the FOKC hopes to build on the success of last year’s event, which saw 250 eager participants lending a hand. This year, they aim to match, if not exceed, that number.
Every inch of the Bug Rug site will undergo transformation, from the giant rock and log sunray to the fence-lines and entryways. Volunteers, supporters, and community members will work tirelessly to beautify the area, creating vital habitat and supporting Indigenous plant populations.
FOKC president Jessica Gerger said the group has been running large-scale National Tree Day events for the past nine years.
“… each year they get bigger and better and have ended up with an almost festival feeling,” she said.
“National Tree Day is celebrated around Australia. It is a chance to be an active citizen and help improve your local environment – in this case the wonderful Kororoit Creek. At our events we plant thousands of Indigenous grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, groundcover and trees to help create a rich, biodiverse landscape for all the inhabitants of the creek.
“There are activities for absolutely everyone – we welcome new attendees with open arms and look forward to enjoying time on the creek together.”
For group members Olga and Michelle, they said the highlight of the event is seeing the community come together for a common goal.
“I really liked that feeling of ‘being part of’ something bigger that is changing the environment in which I, and all the many other creatures, live,” Olga said.
“My highlight is everyone coming together to help benefit and improve our community. We can make change for the better. Also to see the difference over the years from where we started,” Michelle said.
The National Tree Day event will take place on Sunday, July 28 from 10am-1pm at the Bug Rug in Sunshine West.
For more information contact secretary@fokc.org.au
Hannah Hammoud
