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> 7.5 million
TREES PLANTED
since 1997
29th May 2008
Scouts Plant 5,000 Trees at Jack Smith Lake
Scouts from across Victoria planted more than 5,000 trees last weekend at Jack Smith Lake State Game Reserve.
The Scouts were mobilized to assist Greenfleet, a not for profit environmental charity, in revegetating an area within the Parks Victoria owned site.
Greenfleet CEO, Sara Gipton praised the hard work of the Scouts saying, "It is always great to see young people getting involved in important environmental activities. The Scouts have worked really hard this weekend but it's the learning they take away with them that is really important."
"By putting these trees in the ground the Scouts are helping to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and also to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality. The new trees are all native to this area so will create natural habitats for other plant and animal species as they grow.
"The fact that planting trees can have such a significant impact demonstrates that everyone can take simple actions to help reduce the impacts of climate change."
The trees are funded by Greenfleet supporters who pay to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from their vehicles, homes and businesses. Greenfleet has planted more than 3 million trees over the last 10 years in locations across Australia.
Gordon Young, Scouts Australia's National Adviser for the Environment added, "The Scouts involved this weekend demonstrate the leading role that Scouting plays towards sustainability around the world; very apt for the 100th anniversary of Scouting in Australia. They have made a very significant impact on the Jack Smith Lake area and have also helped in the global fight against climate change. This is the seventh year of partnership between Scouts Australia and Greenfleet and we hope this continues for many years to come."
The Scout groups represented at the planting included:
| 1st Diamond Creek | 1st/8th Blackburn |
| Karlwara District | 4th Williamstown |
| 1st Hoppers Crossing | 3rd Croydon |
| 5th Northcote |
Jack Smith Lake was the first State Game Reserve to be created in Victoria and protects extensive coastal lagoons, salt marshes, coastal woodlands and native grasslands. The reserve is home to more than one hundred species of birds as well as kangaroos, wallabies and deer.