Stories from Tree Day friends in Central Arnhem Land
By Jennifer McMillan 13 July 2021
A snippet of some of the incredible stories from The Seedling Bank.
The Tree Day team travelled to the Northern Territory to visit remote communities and engage in tree planting activities as part of The Seedling Bank program. Since launching The Seedling Bank, 43 groups have received funding with another 20-25 to receive grants this year. Approximately 28,000 seedlings have been planted with representation from every state and territory.
Stories were shared from the Jawoyn people who invited Team Tree Day to share their country and vision for the future. The team travelled from Larrakia (Darwin) to Jawoyn country (Katherine and Central Arnhem Land).
Here are some of The Seedling Bank stories:
Joey is in the Eco Warriors sustainability group at Sanderson Middle School on Larrakia Country in Darwin. His favourite tree is the paperbark tree, and his favourite animal is the goanna because they're the closest lizard to a crocodile and he likes the feel of their tough skin. For Schools Tree Day he’s planting trees to create shade for future students.
This is Leqaya after a big day of planting at Manyallaluk in Central Arnhem Land. She planted damson plum (Terminalia microcarpa) near the creek surrounded by paperbarks thanks to funding from The Seedling Bank.
The Tree Day team planted 21 trees with school students and community members at Manyallaluk. The local council kindly offered a hand to water the plants. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Lynette works for Rise, an organisation that provides employment and training to remote Indigenous communities. Lynette started a community garden in the Rise industrial warehouse in Katherine where she's growing a range of plants, including chillies!
The Tree Day team will be sharing more stories in the lead up to National Tree Day. Stay tuned!
Learn about the Country on which you live using the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia.
Jen worked as a vet nurse while studying environmental science and completing her master's degree in Journalism. She loves bushwalking, storytelling, caring for baby animals, Australian birds and river red gums. Jen works on the National Tree Day campaign and Planet Ark's Seedling Bank.
