Wodonga Institute of TAFE - Tree Planting for a Better Environment

Wodonga TAFE staff and their families were busy doing their bit for the local environment on Saturday 17 September, where in cold and wet conditions, 35 hardy souls planted 700 trees at Huon Hill Parklands to offset the carbon emissions of their vehicle fleet.

As an inaugural member of parklands new growing program, Wodonga TAFE has opted to take up the forest option. The trees have been grown on campus in the Agriculture and Horticulture department and aim to plant 17 trees per vehicle maintained in the TAFE car pool.

“On campus we have introduced a number of initiatives including restoration of sections of Felltimber Creek, reduction in our use of electricity and paper and use of recycled water on our campus grounds,” Ms O’Brien said.

parklands Ranger in Charge - Community Relations, Wayne Carlson said Wodonga TAFE has joined this new program as a strong supporter, both in offsetting its own carbon emissions of its fleet and growing plants as part of its training courses.

“In addition, parklands views the involvement of staff and families working together to plant trees as adding a whole new dimension of benefits to the local community as a whole. Now and in the future, Australia faces many challenges to maintain its healthy landscapes and sustainable use of its natural resources.”

“Under the Kyoto Protocol, Australia and other developed countries have agreed to targets and mechanisms to limit greenhouse gas emissions which increase carbon dioxide and other green house gases in the atmosphere, he said.”

Mr Carlson said revegetation to enhance biodiversity and repair degraded lands can make an important contribution to reducing the greenhouse effect. Industry, government, communities and individuals can help offset their greenhouse emissions through contributing to revegetation activities like Wodonga TAFE this weekend.

“Locally, parklands are offering businesses and organisations the opportunity to offset their car emissions by helping to revegetate the regional parklands through the Forest and Woodland packages designed by parklands Albury Wodonga,” he said.