Blacksmiths Needs More Shade, More Habitat, and More Nature for Kids

Imagine being a child in summer, standing in the middle of a hot, exposed school playground with almost no shade.

Now imagine that same space transformed into a thriving native forest alive with birds, butterflies, insects, and children learning amongst nature.

That transformation is possible and together, we can make it happen.

We're launching this community campaign to create a brand-new Tiny Forest at Blacksmiths Public School in Lake Macquarie.

We have 28 days to raise $28,000.

And honestly, the need has never been greater.

Why Blacksmiths?

Blacksmiths has one of the lowest tree canopy coverage rates in Lake Macquarie at just 16%, well below Council’s target of 30%.

As our region grows, more trees and habitat are being lost to development. School playgrounds are getting hotter. Wildlife is disappearing from urban areas. Children are spending less time connected to nature.

But at Blacksmiths Public School, something hopeful is already happening.

Last year, students planted their first Tiny Forest with The Groundswell Collective.

6 months later and parts of that forest are already reaching over 2.8 metres high.

Birds and insects are returning.

Students are checking on “their” trees.

Teachers are using the space for learning.

And now the school community is asking for more.

A Proven Solution That Works

Tiny Forests are densely planted pockets of native habitat designed to rapidly restore biodiversity in urban areas.

What starts as an underused patch of grass quickly becomes a thriving ecosystem and a place people genuinely care about.

Together with schools and communities, The Groundswell Collective has already delivered more than 20 Tiny Forests across NSW and the Pacific and planted over 13,000 native trees alongside more than 2,600 students and community members.

These forests help:

🌱 Cool urban spaces
🐝 Support birds, bees, and biodiversity
🏫 Create living outdoor classrooms
🤝 Bring communities together
💚 Improve wellbeing and connection to nature

We know this works.

We’ve seen children who were once disengaged become proud caretakers of these spaces. We’ve watched families return months later to check on trees they planted together. We’ve seen bare school grounds transformed into places full of life.

The Community Is Ready. Funding Is the Barrier.

We already have:
✔ The school
✔ The site
✔ The design
✔ Community support
✔ Volunteers ready to plant

What’s stopping this project is funding.

The reality is traditional grant systems are often too slow to respond at the scale, and speed communities are ready to act.

So rather than waiting, we’re turning to the people who care.

People like you.

What Your Support Will Help Create

Your donation will directly help fund:

• Native plants and trees
• Soil improvement and mulch
• Site preparation and materials
• Community planting day
• Long-term establishment and care

But more than that, your support helps create:

🌳 A cooler, greener school for children
🐦 Habitat for wildlife
👧 Outdoor learning opportunities
🤝 Community connection and action
🌱 A living example of climate resilience in Lake Macquarie

Every contribution matters.

Whether it’s $20, $200 or simply sharing this campaign with others, you become part of bringing this forest to life.

And Here’s the Exciting Part…

If we exceed our fundraising target, we won’t stop at one forest.

If we double the target, we’ll also plant a Tiny Forest at Arcadia Vale Public School.

If we triple it, we’ll deliver another at The Junction Public School.

The demand from schools is already there.

This campaign has the potential to grow far beyond a single site.

A Living Legacy

Years from now, children will still learn here.

Birds will still nest here.

Families will still walk past and know their community chose something better.

When you support this project, you’re not just planting trees.

You’re helping grow a living legacy.

And if you’d like, we’d love to acknowledge your support through:
✔ Community supporter acknowledgements
✔ Campaign updates and behind-the-scenes progress
✔ Invitations to planting days and project milestones

Please help us grow something extraordinary.

FAQ’S

Where does my money go?

To The Groundswell Collective to purchase 600 native plants, soil improvements, mulch and labour to create the tiny forest.  Funds raised also cover insurance, planting day costs and maintenance support.

Who is The Groundswell Collective?

A Lake Macquarie-based environmental charity that brings people together to create a better planet. 

What if we raise more funds than the original target?

If we double the amount we’re seeking, we’ll plant another tiny forest in another school in Lake Macquarie!

Will I be able to visit the Blacksmiths Primary School Tiny Forest?

Yes, you can join the community planting day plus there will be publicly available open days where people can visit the forest, learn about it and see its progress.

Can a tiny forest be on private or public land?

Whether planted on private or public land, the benefits to the environment from a tiny forest are the same. Private landowners who host a tiny forest site commit to ensuring its longevity. As the planting consists of all native species, they are protected and cannot be removed without consent. 

What if I have a public or private space in mind for a future tiny forest?

If you know of a potential tiny forest site that is accessible to earthwork machinery, approximately 200m2 in size, has no overhead power lines or underground services and no pre-existing tree canopy cover, you can send the details through to info@thegroundswell.org.au and it will be reviewed.

We would love to grow the tiny forest movement, so if you are local business or landholder and would like to be further involved, please contact info@thegroundswell.org.au  

To find out more visit https://thegroundswell.org.au/

Stretch Goal - $58,000

If we reach $58,000 in funds raised, we'll also plant a tiny forest at Arcadia Vale Public School!

Tiny Forest Planting Day - Sunday, 5 July 2026

Tiny Forest Long Lunch - Saturday 8 August 2026