Grow Urban Shade Trees (GUST) is a group of local residents with a shared vision of a healthier, greener and more beautiful Peninsula. GUST’s main focus is to see more native shade trees planted in the streets of Woy Woy, Ettalong and Umina. You may have seen some of our young trees growing around the Peninsula.
As well as looking beautiful, shade trees in urban areas significantly reduce the “urban heat effect”, where exposed tarmac and concrete absorbs then slowly releases heat to create hotter street-level temperatures. Although surrounded by national park, the Woy Woy Peninsula itself has significantly less tree cover than other Central Coast towns and suburbs, and studies have shown the Peninsula can be up to 6C hotter in summer than surrounding areas.
Increasing tree cover also:
- helps combat global warming by storing CO2.
- saves money by providing shade thus reducing the need for air-conditioning in summer.
- reduces stress, improve mental health and promote a sense of well-being.
- provides privacy, reduces dust and noise, increases street appeal and property values.
- provides habitat for birds and wildlife.
GUST was founded in 2015 as part of the Umina Community Group and joined PEG in 2021. GUST welcomes new volunteers to help co-ordinate street tree projects, planting and care of trees. For more information, email gust@peninsulaenvironmentgroup.org or visit us on Facebook.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Peninsula Environment Group 
You must be logged in to post a comment.