National Tree Day
Since its inception by Planet Ark in 1996, National Tree Day has become Australia’s largest tree planting event, with over 26 million trees planted by over 5 million volunteers.
Central Coast Council’s Environmental Volunteer Program have been facilitating community planting events on National Tree Day for many years, at different sites across the Central Coast. Native plants provided for the sites are currently being grown by our environmental volunteers at our Erina Depot Nursery and will contribute to preserving our local natural environment. The two sites represent very different environments, with both being ecologically important in terms of biodiversity and sustainability.
Porters Creek Wetland – since 2019
The site is part of the Porters Creek Wetland which is the largest remaining freshwater wetland on the Central Coast. The wetland supports a diverse range of flora and fauna including some threatened species and also plays a vital role in managing flooding, filtering storm water and improving water quality before entering Wyong River and Tuggerah lakes. The community planting event at Porters Creek is part of a project aiming to restore roosting and foraging habitat for many native and threatened animal species, including the critically endangered Swift parrot.
Killcare Beach – since 2023
At Killcare Beach, like many areas along the coast, there has been a significant reduction in dune vegetation. Native dune vegetation is the first line of defence against coastal erosion and provides important habitat for wildlife. Ongoing planting events such as National Tree Day at Killcare Beach will help improve the ability of the dune systems to withstand storms, and extreme weather, and help protect adjacent homes and other infrastructure.
Environmental Volunteering Program
Central Coast Council’s Environmental Volunteering Program invites the community to take a hands on-role in conservation, protection and remediation of our rich environmental heritage.
We have a range of volunteering opportunities in bushland, coastal areas, lake foreshores, parklands, cemeteries and high conservation areas such as wildlife corridors and the Coastal Open Space System.
Each group’s volunteer activities and unique purpose are identified by Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare, Dunecare, Tidy Towns or Friends Of groups.
The common thread is an appreciation and understanding of the value of green spaces to the community, the value of habitat connection to larger remnants and the intrinsic value of healthy, functional ecosystems. Our volunteers play an essential role in making this happen.
Central Coast Council Environmental Volunteer Program Strategy
What do volunteers do?
Activities are based on using the best technique to restore the unique characteristics of the site. We tailor a program of activities to protect habitat for flora, fauna, fungi, threatened species and endangered communities while enhancing the natural values important to the local community.
Activities are:
- bush regeneration
- weed control
- planting
- seed collection
- propagation
- erosion control
- park maintenance
- landscaping
- litter reduction
- fauna monitoring
- education
- training
This program is a lot more than just pulling out weeds! The social and health aspects of volunteering should not be overlooked.
When volunteers commit to their site, they see it as a chance to get outdoors, to be active and to socialise. Long-standing friendships are often formed and people enjoy the opportunity to discuss issues with some like-minded new friends.
How to join
Have a look at the location, list of groups and meeting times below and contact one of our friendly team members.
Alternatively, you can email us at: environmentalvolunteering@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
Training and access to special events are available for all registered and active volunteers. Get in touch now!
Suburb | Group Name | Monthly Meeting Day/s | Meeting Times | Meeting Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
Avoca Beach | Bulbararing Bushcare | 4th Monday | 9am-12:30pm | End of Reynolds Road |
Avoca Beach | Willdenow Bushcare | 2nd Monday | 8:30am-11:30am | Willdenow Road |
Bateau Bay | Mini Park Landcare | 1st Friday | 8am-10am | Tower Street |
Bateau Bay to Long Jetty | Stepping Stones Bushcare | 1st Monday | 9am-12noon | EDSACC Tennis Courts Car Park |
Berkeley Vale | Berkeley Vale Tidy Towns | 3rd Tuesday | 8am-10am | Various sites |
Blackwall | Blackwall Mountain Bushcare | 3rd Saturday | 8:30am-11:30am | Sliprail end of Mullbong Road |
Blue Haven/San Remo | Northlakes Landcare | 1st Sunday | 8:30am-11:30am | Alternate between two locations: Oct-May at Birdwood Dr, Bluehaven and Jun-Sep at Yuruga Ave, San Remo |
Budgewoi | Budgewoi Beach Dunecare | Tuesday | 8am-11am | Compound North of Caravan Park on Mimosa Road |
Buff Point | Buff Pointers Landcare | Tuesday | 9am-11:30am | Behind 204 Buff Point Avenue |
Chittaway Bay | Chittaway Bay Landcare | Wednesday | 9am-12 noon | End of Kalua Drive |
Copacabana | Copacabana Dunecare | 1st Saturday | 2pm-4pm | At the viewing platform at Del Monte Pl |
East Gosford | Cappers Gully Bushcare | 3rd Saturday | 8:30am-11:30pm | End of White Street |
East Gosford | East Gosford Bushcare | 2nd Thursday and 4th Saturday | Thurs 2pm-4pm Sat 9am-11am | Corner Wells and Coburg Streets |
Ettalong | Peninsula Dunecare | 1st Saturday and 3rd Thursday | 8am-11am (9am-12pm in Winter) | Intersection of Barrenjoey Rd and The Esplanade |
Forresters Beach | Forresters Beach Dunecare | 3rd Sunday | 8am-11am (9am-12pm in Winter) | End of Crystal Street |
Forresters Beach | Malkana Ave Reserve Bushcare | 4th Saturday | 8am-11am (9am-12pm in Winter) | Intersection of Malkana Ave & Binang Ave |
Fountaindale/Glenning Valley | Fountaindale Ridge Conservation Area Landcare | 2nd and 4th Friday | 8:30am-11:30am | Brush Road - opposite no. 343 |
Gorokan | VVAA Tidy Towns | Wednesday TBA | 8:30am-11:30pm | Vietnam Veterans Park, Wallarah Road |
Green Point | Green Point Bushcare | 2nd Thursday | 9am-11am | Kenmare Road, near the history sign |
Green Point | Three Creeks Bushcare | 1st Sunday | 9am-12 noon | Retention Pond near Quattroville Reserve |
Holgate | Katandra Reserve Bushcare | Last Monday of the month | 8:15am-11:15am | Carpark at the end of Katandra Road |
Jilliby | Friends of Jilliby Cemetery | Thursday | 8:30am-10:30am | Jilliby Cemetery, Jilliby Road |
Jilliby | Mount Alison Landcare | 2nd Wednesday | 9am-11am | Parkridge Drive, Jilliby, various locations |
Kanwal | Craigie Park Landcare | 2nd and 4th Saturday | 8:30am-11:30am | End of Parklake Close |
Killarney Vale | Killarney Vale Saltmarsh Landcare | 1st Saturday | 8am-11am | Intersection of Trelawney St & Lucinda Ave |
Killarney Vale | Tumbi Creek Bridge Bushcare | Thursday - every 2 weeks | 9am-11am | End of the Peninsula |
Killarney Vale | The Peninsula Landcare | 1st Saturday | 9am-12pm | End of Adelaide St |
Killcare | Putty Beach Dunecare | Thursday | 9am-11am | Beach Dr, 1st car park at Putty Beach |
Killcare | Putty Beach East Dunecare | Tuesday | 8am-11am | CCC Carpark, Putty Peach Drive |
Long Jetty | Long Jetty Landcare | 2nd Saturday | 8am-11am | Intersection of Willow St and Tuggerah PDE |
MacMasters Beach | MacMasters Beach Bushcare | Friday | 9am-11am | The corner of Tudibaring Pde and Lakeside Dr |
Magenta | Magenta Coastcare | Tuesday | 8am-11am | Car Park at the end of Magenta Drive |
Mannering Park | Mannering Park Tidy Towns | Thursday | 7am-11am | Warwick Ave, Depot (next to Men’s Shed) |
Matcham | Matcham 360 Bushcare | 3rd Monday | 9:30am-12:30pm | 360 Matcham Rd |
Narara | Narara Creek Bushcare | 1st and 3rd Thursday | 9am-12 noon | Intersection of Manns Rd & Showground Rd |
Niagara Park | Garden Grove Landcare | 2nd Sunday | 8am-11am (8.30am-11.30am in Winter) | Cnr Sylvan Valley Close & Alan Street |
Niagara Park | Niagara Park Bushcare | 2nd Saturday | 8:30am-11:30am | Behind Niagara Park Sports Stadium |
Norah Head | Bush Street Coastcare | 2nd Sunday, 3rd and last Wednesday | 8am-11am | Bush Street Reserve |
Norah Head | Jenny Dixon Coastcare | 2nd Monday & 4th Saturday | 8am-11am | Jenny Dixon Reserve, Bungary Road |
Noraville | Friends of Noraville Cemetery | 3rd Monday | 8:00am-10:30am | Noraville Cemetery, Oleander Street |
Noraville | Hargraves Beach Dunecare | Wednesday | 8am-11am | Werepi St |
North Avoca | North Avoca Bushcare | 2nd Saturday | 8:30am-11:30am | The Park at Lakeshore Drive |
North Shelly Beach | Shelly Beach Coastcare | 3rd Saturday | 8am-12 noon | Car Park off Oaks Ave |
Ourimbah | Palm Grove / Ourimbah Creek Landcare | Monday and Thursday | 7:30am-12:30 pm | Ourimbah Creek Road right hand side after freeway underpass |
Patonga | Patonga Bushcare | 1st Monday | 9am-11am | Bay St, meet at the beach access behind the Caravan Park shop |
Pearl Beach | Pearl Beach Bushcare | 1st Saturday | 9am-11am | Coral Crescent |
Pearl Beach | Pearl Beach Dunecare | 2nd Saturday | 9am-11am | Pearl Parade opposite shop |
Phegans Bay | The Bays Bushcare | 1st Sunday | 8am-11am October to March, 9am-12pm April to September | The park at the eastern end of Taylor St, Woy Woy Bay |
Point Clare | Goodaywang Reserve Bushcare | 3rd Saturday | 9am-11am | Kurrawa Avenue |
Point Frederick | Pioneer Park Bushcare | 2nd Saturday | 8:30am-11:30am | End of Albany Street |
Pretty Beach | Pretty Beach Bushcare | every Monday | 2pm-4pm | Araluen Drive Dog Track |
Norah Head | Gravelly Beach Coastcare | 1st Tuesday | 7.30am-10.30am | The Stables, Norah Head Lighthouse |
San Remo | San Remo Tidy Towns | 1st Thursday | 9.30am-12.30pm | Meet at John Peter Howard Reserve, Liamena Ave |
Spencer | Spencer Bushcare | 3rd Thursday | 10am-1pm in Winter (Jun to Aug), 9am-12pm (Sep through to May) | Woodbury Reserve in Winter (Jun to Aug) and Spencer Community Hall (Sep to May) |
Springfield | Rumbalara Ramblers Bushcare | 2nd Monday | 8:30am-11:30am | End of Dolly Ave, Rumbalara Reserve or Henry Wheeler Pl, carpark behind Red Cross building |
Summerland Point | Summerland Point/Gwandalan Tidy Towns | Tuesday | 7:30am-12:30am | Various locations |
Terrigal | Terrigal Lagoon Bushcare | 3rd Tuesday | 9am-12 noon | Rotary Park Reserve carpark |
The Entrance | Picnic Point Landcare | 3rd Sunday | 8am-10am | Tuggerah PDE, between Lentara walk and Picnic Point Reserve Driveway |
The Entrance North | Coastcare T.E.N. | Last Thursday of the month | 9am-11am | Behind Glenvale School |
Tumbi Umbi | Tumbi Wetlands Bushcare | Thursday - Various | 9am - 11am | Tumbi Creek Community Hall |
Umina Beach | Ocean Beach Dunecare | 1st Wednesday | 8am-10am October to March, 9am-11am April to September | End of Ocean Street, next to Umina SLSC |
Umina Beach | South Street East Dunecare | 4th Wednesday | 8am-10am October to March, 9am-11am April to September | Cnr South Street & Esplanade |
Umina Beach | South Street West Dunecare | 3rd Wednesday | 8am-10am October to March, 9am-11am April to September | South Street beach access |
Umina Beach | Berith Street Dunecare | 4th Thursday | 8am-11am | Cnr Berith Street & Esplanade |
Umina Beach | Umina Ettymalong Creek Landcare | 3rd Sunday | 8am-11am | Entry to Umina Oval off Mt Ettalong Rd |
Various Central Coast reserves | Bushcare Seed collectors | 1st Monday | 12:30pm-3:30pm | Roving to various reserves |
Wadalba | Wadalba Wildlife Corridor | 4th Saturday | 8am – 11am | Corner of Orchid way and The Ridge |
Wamberal | Wamberal Dunecare | 2nd Saturday | 7.30am-9.30am (Summer) 8am -10am (Winter) | Wamberal Surf Life Saving Club carpark |
Woongarrah | Mataram Ridge Park Landcare | 2nd Saturday | 8am-10am | Mataram Ridge Park, Mountainview Drive |
Woy Woy | Burrawang Bushcare | 4th Tuesday | 8am-11am | Opposite intersection of Hillview Street & Florida Ave in the Reserve |
Woy Woy | Everglades Lagoon Wetland Bushcare | 2nd & 4th Saturday | 8am-10am October to March, 9am-11am April to September | Intersection of Kerrawah Blvd & Boronia Ave |
Wyong | The Swamp Landcare | 3rd Sunday | 9am-11am | Corner of Bowman Cl and Rockleigh St |