WA Tree Fest begins with Biodiversity Open Day

The City of Stirling’s Henderson Environmental Centre will be opening its doors for an exciting array of nature-related programs this school holidays, as the City once again embarks on WA Tree Festival.

Free tree and plant giveaway events will be held on Saturday 6 April and Tuesday 9 April in the lead-up to our Biodiversity Open Day from 9.00am - 2.00pm on Saturday 13 April. A series of education sessions, community planting days and kids school holiday activities will also feature as part of the program.

The WA Tree Festival has returned for its third year from 6 April - 5 May 2024, growing so rapidly that WA Local Government Association (WAGLA) is joining forces with the City of Stirling and a steering group of leading partners to deliver the month-long environmental campaign.

Mayor Mark Irwin said the City of Stirling was proud to have led the state-wide celebration of trees in 2022 and 2023.

“The City of Stirling is pleased to once again partner with other key local governments across Western Australia to participate in WA Tree Festival,” he said.

“As well as providing opportunities for kids to get involved with nature crafts, interactive art and science activities, nature-based giveaways, a visit from a fire truck and much more, our Biodiversity Open Day is an important opportunity to highlight how trees contribute to cooler suburbs, nature, and health and wellbeing.”

WALGA is working closely with the State Government to deliver grants under the Urban Greening Grant Program and is advocating on behalf of the sector for a State-Wide Urban Forest Strategy.

“A state-wide strategy of this kind is essential; we know tree canopy can increase the property value of our suburbs as well as reducing cooling costs, improving neighbourhood amenity, air quality, and habitat for wildlife,” Mayor Irwin said.

“As local governments continue to come together for this festival and for major events like our Biodiversity Open Day, we believe a collaborative, positive approach has the best hope of increasing our urban canopy.”

Tree canopy across the Perth and Peel regions is declining, largely through clearing of private land for urban development. Perth has the lowest tree canopy cover of all major Australian cities at only 16 per cent, and only 22 per cent of Perth suburbs have canopy cover over 20 per cent.

The State’s own Infrastructure Strategy acknowledges the importance of this issue, recommending the development of an overarching urban forest strategy, including expansion of the Urban Canopy Grant Program, partnering with local governments, community groups and land managers in the strategy rollout and a review of the current policy settings around the treatment of trees, particularly in greenfield and infill developments.