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Tag: National Tree Day
Perfect day to get the gardening gloves on
Now is a better time than any to pop the gardening gloves on and plant a tree or shrub.
With School Tree Day today and National Tree Day this Sunday July 27, there is something fun and interactive happening near you.
Developed by Planet Ark, National Tree Day is an Australian environmental initiative aimed at promoting community planting of native trees and shrubs with a huge range of celebrities endorsing the day. Click here to see who is supporting the 2014 Tree Day.
Trees allow a canopy and habitat for wildlife, encourage biodiversity and produce oxygen, but they provide many additional benefits that you may not be aware of.
As stated by Planet Ark, near-by trees have a calming effect which can significantly reduce workplace stress levels.
Why are trees so important to our community?
- Trees have a calming effect which can significantly reduce workplace stress levels and fatigue.
- They muffle sound from nearby streets and freeways, as well as calm traffic.
- Tree plantings provides an opportunity for community involvement and engage all cultures, ages and genders in the important role of tree planting or tree care.
- Trees beautify communities and improve the views.
- Trees make great landmarks that can give communitie.s a new identity and encourage community spirit.
- Trees improve air quality by absorbing polluting gases and odours and filtering air particles.
- Trees save water as shade from trees slows water evaporation.
- Trees combat the greenhouse effect through carbon sequestration (the general term used for the capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxide).
You don’t need to dedicate just one day of the year to plant trees and shrubs. If you’re interested in getting the gardening gloves on any day of the year, click here for step-by-step instructions.
If you would like to find out about events near you, register your tree planting event, or learn more about the benefits of tree planting days click here .
Students think local for national event
Torquay College students got their hands dirty last week for Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day, planting around 450 plants at Cosy Corner.
National Tree Day is Australia’s largest tree planting event.
Each year, over 200,000 people take part in activities held on 3000 sites and organised by council, schools, businesses, communities and Toyota Dealers across the country.
The day was run as part of a week of annual conservation activities organised by the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre (MDC) in partnership with The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC).
The annual coastal re-vegetation program has been run by the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre since 1986 and this year the activities were run in conjunction with the national Planet Ark event.
GORCC conservation officer Georgie Beale said the students planted native trees, shrubs and grasses.
“The children were planting a Coastal Moonah Woodland which is an endangered plant community in the area.
“Local families use this beautiful space and it’s great to get the local kids involved in their local community and environment,” she said.
Ms.Beale said the activity was a truly collaborative effort.
“The program also involved four land management groups, five community nurseries, BirdLife Australia and indigenous cultural education officers,” she said.
Participating in National Tree Day is just one of the many ways the community can get hands on in the protection of our local coast.
“Local environmental volunteer groups are always seeking new members and people able to lend them a hand – even for an hour or two,” said Ms. Beale.
For schools or groups, GORCC runs a free Environmental Education Program offering a range of hands-on and theory based learning activities and conservation volunteer work.
“Anyone with a love of the outdoors and a passion for the environment can take part in volunteering along the coast and start making a difference.
“You don’t have to be experienced or an expert, there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone no matter what age you are,” Ms Beale said.
For information on National Tree Day visit www.treeday.planetark.org or call their hotline on 1300 885 000. To learn more about GORCC’S Environmental Education Program or coastal volunteering opportunities, visit www.gorcc.com.au .
This story featured in the Surf Coast Times Green the Coast Column on the 6th August 2013.
Related blog posts:
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog 