Thousands of native trees and shrubs will be planted on Charles Sturt University (CSU) campuses as its staff and students help mark National Tree Day. CSU Green, in collaboration with the Slopes to Summit partnership, has organised for around 1 000 native trees, shrubs and grasses to be planted on the University’s Thurgoona site on Friday morning 29 July by nearly 50 students and staff from nearby Trinity College. CSU has set targets of using 10 per cent of University land to increase biodiversity by 2011, and 20 per cent by 2015. CSU Green communication and education officer, Ms Nicole Maher said it is a practical way for people to make a difference to the local environment. “It’s really satisfying to walk past the site in the months and years that follow, and watch the plants you put in growing into a beautiful natural area,” she said. “By getting involved in something like this, people get a far greater appreciation for the incredible native flora and fauna that we have right here on our campuses.”