Helping nature thrive one seedling at a time in Onkaparinga

22 July 2026

Nearly 40 volunteers have rolled up their sleeves to help plant more than 17,000 native seedlings, creating healthier waterways and new habitats for local wildlife.

A community planting effort is helping transform local waterways in the City of Onkaparinga, with more than 17,000 native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and groundcovers set to be planted this winter.

Nearly 40 volunteers recently joined council staff at Aberfoyle Park to plant the first 1000 seedlings as part of the Urban Creek Resilience and Recovery Project.

The initiative will restore sections of Sauerbier and Homestead creeks, improving habitat for native wildlife while creating greener, healthier spaces for the community to enjoy.

The project includes planting rare grey box grassy woodland species, with fewer than 10 per cent of this nationally threatened plant community remaining across the greater Adelaide region.

As the new vegetation grows, it will provide important habitat for birds, butterflies, frogs, lizards and other native wildlife that rely on connected nature corridors.

The community effort doesn't stop there.

Another 5,000 seedlings will be planted along Serpentine and Panalatinga creeks on Saturday 25 July, with residents invited to lend a hand at a community planting day at Candy Road wetland in Happy Valley.

Projects like this show how councils and local communities can work together to create greener neighbourhoods that benefit both people and nature for generations to come.