Parents, teachers, students, gardeners and volunteers participate in National Tree Day events over the weekend.
Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling said planting a tree signifies our commitment to appreciate and care for nature.
“We believe that fostering a strong connection with the natural world is critical to inspiring individuals to protect and conserve it for future generations.”
This nationwide program encourages Australians to contribute to restoring and preserving the natural environment collectively.
This year’s celebrations occurred over two dates.
Schools nationwide marked Schools Tree Day on July 28, with National Tree Day celebrated on July 30.
This year’s plantings brought the number of planted native trees, shrubs and grasses to 27 million since 1996.
These results have been made possible by the efforts of over five million volunteers who have participated in the collective effort to plant trees and foster a deeper connection with nature.
Up to 300,000 Australians participated in Tree Planting events.
On July 30, thousands of Australians participated in tree-planting events- including South Pole explorer Dr Gareth Andrews who marked National Tree Day by planting an Antarctic beech at Glenrock Scout Camp near Newcastle.
In Sydney, multiple councils and organisations held events encouraging residents to contribute to nature care and tree planting events.
Many Sydney councils, including the City of Sydney and Randwick, held their respective free events for the day, with many locals joining to help the initiative.
The City of Sydney Council held its planting event at Prince Alfred Park, planting over 5,000 native grasses, flowering herbs and plants.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore spoke of the event’s significance in “supporting biodiversity and beautifying the area.”
“Our parks are among our most important assets, and I love to see these great events where the community can come together and help us make Prince Alfred Park even better,” says Moore.
The council strongly supports urban forestry, with Moore explaining that it aims to reach 40% green coverage across the area by 2050, combating the heat island effect and providing habitats for wildlife.
Below are some of the highlights from the weekend of tree planting
The National Tree Day is growing from strength to strength.
Planet Ark and National Tree Day’s major sponsor, Toyota Australia, have teamed up with the AFL to promote tree planting across Australia during rounds 19-20 of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership season.
This is the second year that Toyota has supported National Tree Day through their AFL partnership, using in-ground signage and broadcast assets to amplify National Tree Day to an AFL audience.
Ms Gilling said research consistently highlights the profound benefits of spending time in nature, enhancing key aspects of Australians’ lives, including health, happiness, learning, relaxation, and relationships.
“Time spent in nature makes people happier, healthier, brighter, calmer, and closer to one another.”
“By participating in National Tree Day, Australians can invest in their well-being and contribute to creating a sustainable future.”
