Living Green Program

If you’d like to learn how to live a greener life, the City has a range of workshops, events and volunteer opportunities to help build knowledge and encourage involvement.  The City is passionate about protecting its natural environment and assists residents to create more sustainable homes and cool, green neighbourhoods.  

Programs are released throughout the year, subscribe to the monthly Living Green Newsletter to stay in the loop. 

Programs and resources

WA Tree Festival

Our annual celebration of trees returns on 6 April - 5 May 2024. Now in its third year, 'Tree Fest' is a community celebration of trees and our natural environment and features inspiring events and activities hosted by more than 25 councils across WA. Learn more by visiting the festival website here.

As the festival founder, we have a jam-packed program for City of Stirling residents including nature-based school holiday activities, walks and talks. 

What's on 

Event/ActivityDate and TimeRegistration 
Biodiversity Open DaySaturday 13 April 2024, 9.00am – 2.00pmRegister here
Nature play in the park8 -12 April 2024, 9.30am - 12.30pmRegister here
Kids yoga and nature craft 20 April and 28 April 2024, 10.00am -12.00pmRegister here

Henderson Environment Centre activities (walks, education, kids activities)

Check registration for details Register here
Education series - updated throughout the festival Check registration for details Register here

 

Henderson Environment Centre open for visitors

The Henderson Environmental Centre is open for visitors these school holidays. From activities, giveaways and guided walks, there’s something for everyone!

Henderson Centre Opening Hours

  • Dates: April School Holidays: 2 - 5 April, and 9 - 12 April 2024
  • Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
  • Time: Open 9.00am – 5.00pm

What's on 

Event/Activity

Date and Time

Registration

Local history exhibition, interactive art activities and nature discovery

Drop in during Henderson Centre opening hours

No registration required

Chat to a Conservation and Wildlife Officer

Tuesday 2 April 2024 and Wednesday 10 April 2024,  9.00am – 12.00pm

Register here

Nature based art and guided bush walk

Friday 5 April 2024, 9.30am -11.30am

Register here

Star Swamp Bushland forest bathing/mindfulness walk

Tuesday 9 April 2024 and Thursday 11 April 2024, 9.00am – 11.30am

Register here

Biodiversity Open Day

Saturday 13 April 2024, 9.00am – 2.00pm

Register here

Free trees and plants

Due to popular demand, the Free Tree and Plant Program is now fully subscribed.

Collection events

This year the City will provide almost 30,000 free trees and plants to eligible residents to help create cooler, happier and healthier communities. All plants and trees will be collected from the Henderson Environmental Centre, end of Groat Street, North Beach.

Dates

Pick up Times

Registration

Saturday 30 March 2024

9.00am - 3.00pm

Registrations closed 

Thursday 4 April 2024

8.00am – 10.00am and 4.00pm – 6.00pm

Registrations closed 

Saturday 6 April 2024

9.00am - 3.00pm

Registrations closed 

Tuesday 9 April 2024

8.00am – 10.00am and 4.00pm – 6.00pm

Registrations closed 

Tree and plant species

  • To learn more about the plant packs please click here. Please note, not all plants are suitable for verge planting
  • To learn more about tree species, please click here. Please note, native trees will be supplied as tubestock, visit the registration for more info. 

Important collection information

  • All plant and tree collection will be from the Henderson Environmental Centre, end of Groat Street, North Beach.
  • Please bring a small box or bags to carry your plants in
  • To reduce waiting times, tickets have been spread across four pick-up days, with hourly pick-up times
  • Each event and hourly time slot will have a limited number of trees and plant pack varieties.

Eligibility

  • Open to eligible residents and tenants of the City of Stirling who reside at the address where the trees and seedlings will be planted.  Tenants must have approval of the homeowner

  • Residents can claim up to one plant pack (including 10 plants) and four trees per household
  • Trees can only be planted on private property within the City of Stirling
  • Trees must be planted in the ground, not in pots or containers
  • Waterwise plants can be used on the verge (must meet City of Stirling Verge Treatment Guidelines) or private garden
  • Residents cannot claim plant packs or trees for investment properties where they do not live
  • You will be asked to show proof of your home address to collect your trees and plants (driver’s licence, utility bill, etc).

Sustainable Verge Program

Thank you for your interest in the Sustainable Verge Program, this program is now fully subscribed.

The wildly popular Sustainable Verge Program is open for residents transforming their verges over autumn/winter 2024. Each recipient will receive support to create a native, waterwise verge garden and 175 places will be available on a first come, first served basis:

Support includes:

Eligibility

  • City of Stirling residential property owner, or tenant with approval from owner
  • Strata properties can apply (as one verge) with pre-agreement from body corporate.

Conditions

  • Participants can not apply for free plants in the City’s Plant Giveaway (April/May 2024)
  • Participants agree to use the mulch and plants only on their City of Stirling residential verge
  • Participants with large verges can apply again in following years to receive additional support
  • Residents can not register for more than one City of Stirling address
  • Participants agree to complete a program survey in June 2024.

Home sustainability and in-home support

Find out how you can save money on your bills and do your bit for the environment with free advice from a sustainability expert.

Residents are eligible for up to $50 of biodiversity enhancing & energy and water saving products through the Home Sustainability Support program. Free products include LED lights, pedestal fans, soil improver, soil wetter, bee and insect attracting houses, nesting boxes and more. Get tips to reduce your bills and create a wildlife friendly garden in a more comfortable home. 

After registration, the sustainability expert will contact you within a month to arrange a suitable time to visit your home. Remote sessions are available if you are unable to meet face to face. See the eligibility and conditions to decide if you can participate in the program:

Eligibility 

  • Households must be located within the City of Stirling to be eligible
  • Homeowners and tenants are both eligible to participate
  • Households that have previously received a Home Sustainability Support Session at the same address are not eligible
  • Households that have low energy and water use may not be eligible for a support session. The City will contact you to discuss your needs and advise you if you are eligible.

Register here

Conditions

  • If you need to reschedule or cancel your support session you must provide at least 24 hours notice to the sustainability expert. Late notice may make you ineligible to reschedule
  • Participants are required to provide 12 months billing history (electricity, gas, water) to the sustainability expert prior to the session
  • Free sustainability products will be provided during the session and chosen by your sustainability expert based on the household needs.

The city also offers loans of Home Energy Assessment Toolkits from its libraries. To find out more about the toolkits visit Energy and Emissions.

Switch your thinking

The City has partnered with Switch your thinking to unlock a variety of discounts on energy efficient, waterwise and sustainable products. Think solar panels, batteries, rain tanks, pool blankets, worm farms and more!

To learn more about Switch your thinking and how you can access the rewards and discounts available, visit the Switch your Thinking website.

Helpful resources

Energy Toolkit – Home energy toolkits, designed to help you reduce your electricity use and save money on your bills are available to hire from all City of Stirling libraries – read more here.

Battery collection - Drop off your old battery's at participating primary schools and shopping centre. 

For a full list of drop off centres, visit the Recycling Near You website.

Containers for Change – Return your containers to earn or donate 10 cents per item.  View the complete list of drop off and recycling centres here.

Be Waterwise - for top tips and resources to reduce your water use, visit our water management page.

Reduce energy use - top tips and resources to reduce your energy use, visit our energy and emissions page.

Get involved

Interested in protecting and enhancing our environment? Here are some blooming good ways to get involved!

Check out your local community garden

Check out your local community garden

The City supports a number of local community gardens which are managed by community volunteers. 

They can be food gardens, producing vegetables and/or fruit, or bush gardens, either focused on bush tucker or just on creating a space with local plants for the community to enjoy.

Some of the gardens also run events and workshops for garden members and the local community.

Find out more

Become a volunteer

Become a volunteer

There are a variety of volunteering opportunities for those who would like to restore and manage the City's natural areas, including conservation volunteers, community sustainability volunteers, and becoming a Turtle Tracker volunteer! 

Learn more

Apply for a Sustainable Communities grant

Apply for a Sustainable Communities grant

The City is committed to building a sustainable future for the community. We recognise the valuable role that community groups, organisations and individuals can play in driving sustainability and protecting our natural environment.

We encourage all eligible groups to apply.

Find out more

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