NGIA SUPPORTS NATIONAL URBAN FOREST ALLIANCE
30 Jul 2012
Australia’s Nursery and Garden Industry (NGIA) has become a Platinum Partner of the National Urban Forest Alliance.
Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) has become a Platinum Partner of the National Urban Forest Alliance, which has been formed to promote the growth and recognition of the urban forests in Australian cities and regional centres.
The CEO of NGIA, Robert Prince says the industry supported the formation of the Alliance, which brings together stakeholders with an interest in urban forest policy, planning, measurement and promotion.
“Australia needs a healthy urban forest and Australians need to value and care about the urban forest as an essential environmental, economic and community asset. The evidence is clear from research that we have much to gain by growing our urban forest.”
“It is encouraging that key local governments have recognised the importance and the value of the urban forest and have joined the Alliance, but there is still much to do to get widespread recognition throughout the community and among other stakeholders,” Robert said.
At present, the National Urban Forest Alliance has 12 major stakeholders including the city councils of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Darwin as well as the Australian Landscape Industry and Arboriculture Australia.
NGIA CEO Robert Prince (right) receiving a special presentation to acknowledge NGIA’s support from the President of Arboriculture Australia, Robert Sutton
ENSPEC Pty Ltd is the other Platinum Partner, and an increasing number of other likeminded organisations, councils and professional associations are expected to join the Alliance before the end of 2012.
Robert said that the NGIA had joined as a Platinum Partner as there was much that the industry needed to do to address the issues and build demand for green-life in urban environments.
“Our members grow green-life and the urban forest means all plants – trees, grass and shrubs – so we are vitally concerned. NGIA is about promoting the bigger issues so that the urban forest is recognised by the community and other decision makers.”
NGIA’s theme for 2012 is ‘More Trees Please’ as part of its strategy to advise the community to Improve Your Plant/Life Balance, both of which focus on improving the health of people through growing the urban forest and other initiatives.
“We look forward to working more closely with Alliance members to build awareness of the importance of the urban forest to our health and wellbeing,” Robert added.