The Lennox Head community is being invited to continue a two-decade tradition of environmental stewardship at the 21st Lennox Head Community Tree Planting Day on Friday, 5 June.
Hosted by Ballina Shire Council, GeoLINK and Rous County Council, the annual event celebrates the thousands of volunteers who have helped transform Lennox Headland through community-led restoration efforts since 2003.
What began with just 20 volunteers planting 140 seedlings has grown into one of the region’s most enduring environmental initiatives. Over the past 21 years, more than 1,800 volunteers have contributed their time and energy to planting thousands of native trees and restoring the headland’s natural landscape.
This year marks a major milestone, with the upper section of the headland now fully revegetated through community plantings. The project was founded on a shared vision between Ballina Shire Council and GeoLINK to restore the native littoral rainforest that once covered the area.
Ballina Shire Council Natural Resource Officer James Brideson said the success of the project belonged to the community.
“Each year, the local community come together to regenerate this precious coastal environment, helping to restore what was once present pre the 1800s. What started as a small-scale project has grown. We’ve now planted over 18,000 trees and covered over 8 hectares,” said Brideson.
“We could not have done this without the schools, businesses and local volunteers who show up year after year to contribute their time and energy to restoring this special place,” added Brideson.
The annual planting day has become more than an environmental event, bringing together residents, schools, community groups and local businesses in a shared effort to care for one of the region’s most recognisable natural landmarks.
The project supports local biodiversity, strengthens habitat for native wildlife and demonstrates the impact communities can have when they work together over the long term.
Held on World Environment Day, the event offers locals a chance to make a direct and lasting contribution to the environment close to home.
The planting day will run from 9am to noon on Lennox Headland. Participants should park at Pat Morton Lookout and follow signs to the planting site.
Volunteers are encouraged to wear sun protection and enclosed footwear and to bring digging tools if they have them.
Native seedlings, mulch, water and planting tools will be supplied by Council. A free barbecue and refreshments will be available, thanks to the support of Lennox Head businesses and local volunteer groups.
Further information
Species selected for the restoration project were chosen based on historical vegetation studies and include tuckeroo, coastal banksia, glossy laurel, umbrella cheese tree, riberry, beach bird’s-eye, scentless rosewood and sweet pittosporum.
In 2011, five rare coastal fontainea (Fontainea oraria) seedlings were provided by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority. Additional plantings of the critically endangered species have since been undertaken on Lennox Headland and surrounding headlands by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
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