THE Australian Capital Tree Climbing Championships is one of the highlights of Canberra Tree Week 2016 which will run from Monday May 2 to Sunday May 8.

“Canberra Tree Week is a celebration of the important role trees play in our region,” said Tree Protection Officer Samantha Ning.

“I encourage people to join in the activities that have been arranged throughout the week at venues like the National Arboretum Canberra, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Namadgi National Park and libraries at what is an iconic time of year to take in the beauty of the autumn colours.

“The week will start with a community tree planting at the Lyneham Food Forest on Monday 2 May 2016.

“People can also participate at the National Arboretum Canberra for a range of daily activities, including Autumn in the Arboretum: European Trees exhibition, daily autumn guided walks, craft activities for children and an exhibition of works by Canberra botanical artists. Children can pick up a scavenger trail passport at the Village Centre and mark off all the places they visit on their trip.

“Tree themed stories, rhymes, song and crafts will be held at some of Canberra’s local libraries between Tuesday 3 May and Thursday 5 May 2016.

“A workshop on which native trees are most suited to Australian backyards and how to care for them will be held at the Australian National Botanic Gardens on Wednesday 4 May and Saturday 7 May 2016 to improve the success of your native garden.

“Deep in Canberra’s south, Namadgi National Park ranger Brandan Galpin will lead a guided tour through Australia’s highest Arboretum, Bendora Arboretum, on Thursday 5 May and Sunday 8 May 2016.

“In a first for Canberra the Australian Capital Tree Climbing Championships will kick off with registration day between 10 am and 2 pm on Friday 6 May 2016. The day also includes a tree climbing workshop and an insight into how a rescuer navigates tree climbing in an emergency situation.

“Saturday 7 May 2016 will see tree climbing at its best with professional tree climbers from Australia and around the world battling for the title of ACT Tree Climbing Champion. Competitors will move through the trees with speed, agility, efficiency and safety, balancing on limbs, ringing bells, following safety standards all whilst racing the clock.

“Canberra Tree Week is only in its third year but this one looks to be the biggest yet,” Ms Ning said.

More information on these, and other Canberra Tree Week activities, are available at tams.act.gov.au.