Kids dig deep for a green future
ABOUT 50 people got their hands dirty at Peace Park when they helped Darwin council workers plant new trees.
The new saplings, including a variety of native species such as ghost gums, milkwoods and yellow flame trees, came after council removed a number of trees earlier this year.
Yesterday, 44 weeping Indian rosewood trees were removed after they succumbed to the common fungal disease fusarium.
A further 19 trees in irreversible decline were removed for the safety of the community.
Darwin council parks technical officer Chris Bailey said he was pleased with the turnout of people.
“It’s been a good couple of hours,” he said.
“We’re also putting in a couple of nesting boxes because there’s a big animal population here, with frill neck lizards, birds and possums.
“Lot’s of people use the park so it’s good to see them giving back to their community.”
Maharlia Lanigan said she enjoyed the morning.
“We got to choose which trees to plant where and then plant them ourselves,” she said.
“People chop down trees but they’re what give us air so we need them in our lives.”
Darwin Wildlife Sanctuary staff, who were installing nesting boxes at the same time, also brought a host of animals that people could meet.
A number of local aldermen also got involved.