Fingers in the dirt, boots muddy and smiles wide – more than 300 local students rolled up their sleeves at Glenfields Park last Friday for a hands-on lesson in giving back to the planet. As part of Mackay Regional Council’s 16th annual partnership with Planet Ark for National Tree Day, children from nine schools across the region planted over 3,000 native seedlings grown specially by the Mackay Natural Environment Centre. The event transformed Glenella’s parklands into a buzzing outdoor classroom, with students helping restore the riparian habitat along Goosepond Creek.
Council Parks Planner Tracie Carlsson said the site’s environmental value made it ideal for long-term revegetation, and seeing last year’s growth was a powerful motivator for students. Backed by groups like Catchment Landcare and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, the event is part of a broader greening strategy for Mackay. As the trees take root, so too does a vibrant legacy of environmental stewardship.
Fingers in the soil and smiles all around, local students transformed Glenfields Park into a thriving hub of environmental action, planting native seedlings to nurture Mackay’s natural future. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
Last Friday, hundreds of local students swapped pencils for planting gloves as Glenfields Park in Glenella came to life with laughter, muddy boots and thousands of native seedlings.
The event marked the 16th year Mackay Regional Council has partnered with Planet Ark for National Tree Day – Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care initiative.
More than 300 children from nine schools across the region took part, planting native tube stock grown specially for the occasion.
Grade 2 Slade Point State School student Maleayah said, “We’re planting trees today.”
“It’s important because it’s nature, and animals live in the trees.”
It’s simple wisdom from the youngest planters, and a message echoed by experts who’ve helped bring the event to life.
Tracie Carlsson, Parks Planner with Mackay Regional Council, said the Glenfields Park site was chosen for its environmental value and opportunity for regeneration.
“Today we've had nine schools, 312 children from across the region, who have joined us, and over the weekend we’ll be planting a bit over 3,000 tube stock,” she said.
“That’s specialist tube stock that has been grown by our Mackay Natural Environment Centre, and all of the species that would have been here along Gooseponds Creek originally.”
The planting at Glenfields is part of a long-term revegetation effort.
“This is the second event for National Tree Day that we've held here, and what's really lovely about that is the kids can actually see, 12 months on, what the planting is going to look like,” Ms Carlsson said.
She added that the project had been months in the making.
“For everyone here today, it is a labour of love, and when we see what a wonderful result we’re getting here, it’s all worth it.”
Donna Jackson, Senior Projects Officer with local group Catchment Landcare, said getting children involved builds lasting environmental stewardship.
“Everybody has space for a tree. You can keep trees in pots. Every tree you plant helps our environment, and it helps our native species and our wildlife,” she said.
“It can be food for pollinators, like some of our native bees and birds. Get out there, plant some trees, enjoy being in your yard, and enjoy the beautiful weather we have at the moment… before it gets too hot!”
Ricci Churchill, Manager of Safety, Risk and Environment at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, has been part of the council’s National Tree Day effort for a decade.
“I’ve come along every year – this is our tenth year helping council,” she said.
“It’s always a different location. We’ve done the river, the Botanic Gardens – this is our second year here, and it’s always great to be involved.”
The tree planting continued on July 27, where members of the public were invited to join the greening of Glenfields Park.
Mayor Greg Williamson said the initiative is part of a multi-year greening strategy to boost riparian vegetation and restore native habitats.
“It’s been fantastic to see how plants we planted last year along Goosepond Creek have thrived in the last 12 months,” he said.
“This not only supports our natural environment, but also creates a greener, healthier future for the region by encouraging people to enjoy the great outdoors.”
As the trees take root, so too does a shared vision – one where students, families and community members grow something lasting together.
More than 300 students from nine Mackay schools joined forces at Glenfields Park for National Tree Day, planting thousands of native seedlings to help restore the natural environment. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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