Volunteers all over Victoria have been lovingly nurturing 25,000 seedlings that will be planted as part of the Commonwealth Games Environment Program.
School groups, scout troops and individuals have been growing the seedlings which will be planted at twelve community tree planting sites across the State. The seedlings are from 21 different species, ranging from tea trees and bottle brushes to wattle and eucalypt trees. The species have been carefully chosen to create the right biodiversity that will attract the native insects, birdlife and animals that keep the delicate ecosystem balanced.
Sister Maree Stuart, of the Community of the Holy Name in Cheltenham (pictured with Minister Justin Madden above), has had fantastic results and has produced a thriving bunch of seedlings that will be planted in Ballan. She is one of the many enthusiastic volunteers that are helping to make the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games the first 'carbon neutral' event.
Between July and October communities across the State will be rolling up their sleeves and planting trees, doing their bit for the Games and the environment.