In addition to their annual National Tree Day events, this dedicated community group has been regenerating the local environment for over five decades. KBULG originates from an environmental movement in 1972 when the Goldfields Dust Abatement Committee (GDAC) was formed to mitigate severe dust storms by fencing off areas, planting trees and monitoring air quality. The GDAC successfully lobbied for the establishment of a ‘green belt area’ surrounding Kalgoorlie-Boulder, devising an approximate 3,500 ha of native bushland into six regeneration zones.
Over time, the GDAC extended its focus from advocating for dust suppression to sustainable land management and environmental education, eventually evolving into the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Urban Landcare Group (KBULG). KBULG today operates out of Karlkurla Bushland Park, one of the original six regeneration zones and now a Class A nature reserve.
Led by CEO Kim Eckert, KBULG places a big focus on environmental education and aims to inspire their local community to be environmentally aware and active. The core vision of KBULG remains the conservation of intact bushland and the ‘re-greening’ of urban spaces, but implementing education programs that recount the mistakes of the past and emphasise the significance of trees and vegetation communities is a significant focus also. In line with this, they operate a thriving and fully inclusive native community nursery where the group propagates thousands of plant seedlings for donation to communal spaces, community events, and schools.
Every year, in celebration of National Tree Day, KBULG organises a Community Tree Planting Day - the Goldfields’ largest environmentally themed multi-generational action day. Together with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the group selects a barren area for each year’s tree planting effort based on conservation needs and connectivity/corridor requirements between existing rehabilitated patches. Between 3,000 – 5,000 native seedlings are planted annually at Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s Tree Planting Day.
“National Tree Day is a big highlight on KBULG’s calendar with over 200 people joining us each year. In partnership with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, it’s more than just planting trees and shrubs, it’s about bringing the community together and inspiring the next generation. There’s nothing better than seeing children return to the site, excited to see how their trees and shrubs have grown, knowing they’ve made a real difference to our environment,” says Kim Eckert, KBULG CEO.
The history of KBULG’s impact on environment and community is no clearer than in the case of community member Bryce Greatorex. Way back in 1998 Bryce was pictured planting seedlings with his 7-year-old son, Cody, and his 4-year-old daughter, Shenae. Fast-forward 27 years to 2025 and Bryce was captured planting with Shanae and his 4-year-old granddaughter, Lucy.
Bryce is well known in the community for his monitoring of local biodiversity and ongoing contributions to conservation for the past 40 years. Both Bryce and Lucy won awards for their green thumbs at the 2025 KBUKG Sustainable Garden Quest – like grandfather, like granddaughter!
Stories like this highlight what makes KBULG really special, it’s not just the thousands of seedlings planted each year, or the land restored – it's the sense of stewardship passed from one generation to the next, and throughout the whole community.
If you're inspired to host a planting this National Tree Day, find our more and register here nationaltreeday.org.au/get-involved/host-a-site