Whadjuk Noongar & Ballardong Noongar Country

Miyawaki Forests, WA

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native seedlings
pocket forests
per forest

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The urban heat island effect is an increasing problem in Australian cities. When vegetation is cleared and replaced with buildings, bitumen and concrete, the sun’s heat is much more readily absorbed. These materials absorb heat during the day, increasing temperatures significantly, and continue to release heat during the night. Pockets of urban heat can have serious impacts on human and animal health, especially for the elderly, pregnant women, those who are unwell, and people who live in disinvested neighbourhoods. The death toll from heatwaves in Australia has exceeded that for any other environmental disaster, including floods, bushfires and cyclones – urban heat island areas are particularly at risk. Planting trees in urban heat island areas can provide significant cooling effects alongside many other benefits.