THE state government has released the first ever urban greening strategy for Perth and Peel aiming to combat urban heat, strengthen climate resilience, support health and wellbeing, and enhance biodiversity and access to nature.

It also recognises the contribution schools and community groups can make to increasing the tree canopy, from growing micro-forests on school sites to planting in local recreation areas, civic spaces, and verges.

To encourage urban greening projects aligned with the strategy, the Cook government will soon launch a new Let’s Grow grants program and the first Let’s Grow action plan.

Round one of the Let’s Grow grants will fund schools and community groups to deliver urban greening projects that focus on boosting tree canopy.

The strategy and Let’s Grow grants will drive progress towards the government’s commitment to increase Perth’s tree canopy cover to 30 per cent by 2040, and plant one million trees by 2035.

These measures build on state government funding already underway including the $6.9 million Treebates incentive and the $7.2m Tree Recovery Program.

The strategy will also deliver urban greening awareness and foster strong collaboration to ensure a shared vision towards better outcomes.

It has been shaped by extensive research and consultation, including with the leaders of the Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together project.

Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the government had worked extensively to develop the first ever urban greening strategy for Perth and Peel, while making significant investments to boost urban canopy.

“In line with this government’s commitment to delivering housing and essential infrastructure, the strategy provides a co-ordinated, practical approach to ensure trees, plants, and green spaces are integrated into our neighbourhoods as they evolve.

“This new strategy supports our efforts to boost urban canopy including changes to the residential codes to incentivise tree retention, the Treebates incentive, and the Tree Recovery program.”

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said around the world, urban greening is being adopted as a response to global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.

“The Urban Greening Strategy reinforces the need to grow tree canopy and vegetation to shade and cool our neighbourhoods and improve community wellbeing.

“But more than just planting trees, urban greening helps protect and enhance the natural world that sustains us all. We all need to work together to create a city that is climate-resilient and nature-rich for generations to come.”

For further details on Let’s Grow, visit www.wa.gov.au/lets grow or to go directly to the strategy go to www.wa.gov.au/me dia/158553/download?inline