Since 2022, UNSW has partnered with environmental not-for-profit organisation Greenfleet to offset its scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions (from fuel and natural gas consumption) by planting native forests. UNSW participation in the program helps restore native ecosystems, build critical habitat for wildlife, restore water quality and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Each year, UNSW staff and students are invited to a local tree planting event to participate in Greenfleet’s mission. On 15th August 2024, Melissa Nouel, UNSW Sustainable Built Environment Manager, Andrea Aquino, The Producers Volunteer, and Jordan Vink, Ferrari Lab LEAF Representative joined a team of Sydney volunteers to plant and water around 1,100 native trees in Lucas Heights Reserve, Sutherland. The species planted included Ironbark Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus paniculata) and Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera), which helps restore the endangered ecological community known as the ‘Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest’. This forest is legally protected and may provide potential habitat for koala and possum populations and extend habitat for the region’s other wildlife species as well.
“It was such a great experience to meet and work alongside other Greenfleet partners, getting our hands dirty to support our common cause of nature restoration. Participating directly highlights the health and wellbeing benefits from working in nature and the hard work that the Greenfleet crew puts in on a regular basis. Restoring nature is a critical action to mitigate and reverse the impacts of human activity on our ecological systems, and I invite everyone to support this cause in whichever way you are able to.” Melissa Nouel, UNSW Sustainable Built Environment Manager
Interested in greening our campuses? Check out UNSW Urban Growers initiative or get in touch at sustainability@unsw.edu.au to share your suggestions.
Together, we can restore our forests and climate hope.
