Rainforest Rescue is calling on Byron Shire residents to get growing on National Tree Day by helping to plant another 500 native rainforest plants.

The local National Tree Day event is taking place on Sunday 2 August and the planting site is the Crystal Castle at 81 Monet Drive, Montecollum, near Mullumbimby. Activities start from 10 am and all residents are invited to volunteer for a few hours by planting, watering and mulching the plants.

“We held our first National Tree Day event in 1999 and since then we’ve planted over 100,000 trees”. said Kelvin Davies of Rainforest Rescue. The trees have been planted on farms and rural properties and also in partnership with other community groups in and around Byron Bay and Mullumbimby.

“Three years ago we decided to establish a demonstration site at the Crystal Castle as many of the other planting sites are inaccessible. From what was an impenetrable wall of weeds we now have a beautiful rainforest walk with over 5,000 local rainforest plants. The design of the planting aims to showcase the hundreds of different plants found in our local rainforest. We’ve planted lots of trees, some of which are now 6 metres tall and we’ve also planted the palms, ferns, and lilies and other smaller rainforest understorey plants.

“We wanted people to be able to visit the work we are doing to re-establish rainforest in the region, however these days insurance is always a consideration for projects. That’s why it’s been great to have the site at the Crystal Castle as they accept responsibility for visitor safety”. said Kelvin. The Crystal Castle and their staff have built a walking track, removed hazards, erected interpretative signage and will maintain the trees into the future.

Lowland subtropical rainforest, once extensively found in the northern NSW region was almost all cleared and now only 1% remains. Rainforest Rescue’s Plant a Rainforest Project is supported by businesses and individuals who sponsor the planting of the trees. For more information phone 6684 4360 or visit www.rainforestrescue.org.au