THE 30th annual National Tree Day is coming up on Sunday 26 July. All across Australia, people will be joining together to connect with nature and care for Country by planting trees and revegetating important areas that will help wildlife and nature to thrive.
Here on the Mornington Peninsula, the Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group have been working hard for 10 months to prepare the Upper Sunshine site for this year’s planting.
Invasive, prickly blackberries have been removed, other weeds such as watsonia, boneseed and arum lilies have been dug out, mulch has been laid, and the site is now ready to be revegetated with over 1000 indigenous grasses, shrubs and trees.
This project has been made possible through collaboration with a Biolink Grant from the shire, Melbourne Water’s Liveable Communities Liveable Waterways grant, support from Fulton Hogan, and regular sponsorship from Hop Nation, 15 Trees, and Warlimont and Nutt.
This year’s event will be particularly special, marked by a Smoking Ceremony led by Uncle Lionel and the recent discovery of a tiny, endangered toadlet living within the reserve.
The endangered Southern Toadlet, also known as the marbled toadlet, has been found in the Sunshine Reserve creek area, boosting enthusiasm to protect the wildlife and habitat of this important bushland.
The Southern Toadlet is only two-three cm long and often walks rather than hops. It eats mosquitoes, moths and flies. Unfortunately, its numbers are declining due to habitat loss, waterway pollution, and the impacts of climate change on flood and fire frequency. It is found only in southern Victoria and Tasmania, making local conservation efforts especially important.
If you enjoy the bushland around your area, consider meeting fellow locals, getting your hands dirty, and feeling positive about adding some greenery to our peninsula. Winter is the perfect time to plant, giving young trees the chance to establish before the hot summer ahead.
To join a meaningful day of connection and care for Country at Sunshine Reserve, or to find another tree planting near you, visit the National Tree Day website: nationaltreeday.org.au/find-a-site/
First published in the Mornington News – 7 July 2026
