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Canberra Today 17°/20° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Tree day – a chance to make a difference

Mirko Milic with Aranda Primary School students, from left, Charlotte, Miranda, Thomas, Kayd, Frankie, Kairlyn, Emma and Kevin.
Getting ready for Schools Tree Day… Mirko Milic with Aranda Primary School students, from left, Charlotte, Miranda, Thomas, Kayd, Frankie, Kairlyn, Emma and Kevin.

NATIONAL Tree Day is the largest tree-planting event in the country.

Organised by Planet Ark, it is celebrating its 21st birthday and 23 million trees planted nationally since it began.

National Tree Day manager Debbie Agnew says it’s an opportunity for people to make a difference in greening their local community and bringing back native wildlife.

Debbie says that thanks to the support of Canberra Toyota, there were 120 tree-planting sites last year in the ACT, involving 6500 people and resulting in 25,000 seedlings being planted.

“If we have 150 sites this year it would be exceptional,” says Debbie.

“We are thrilled to have so many groups help us every year, but I also encourage people who haven’t done it before but want to do something meaningful and be able to directly see the fruits of their labours to join us this year.

“National Tree Day brings the community together and planting a tree is a very special thing to do!”

Canberra Toyota’s dealer principal Mirko Milic says he and his team thoroughly enjoy their long-standing involvement with National Tree Day, and have for a number of years co-ordinated with local schools to ensure the Schools Tree Day, held on Friday July 29, is a success.

He says National Tree Day is important as it brings the community’s focus to the environment.

“A lot of businesses, ourselves included, take a lot out of the environment, and we are committed to giving back by being a good corporate citizen,” he says.

Mirko says Canberra Toyota works directly with local schools to encourage them to sign up for Schools Tree Day and provides them with the trees, supplies and some man power from their team.

“Each year we go out and help a different school. The kids love it! They enjoy being outside and getting dirty. We all have fun and appreciate the environment, which is what it’s all about,” he says.

“We see children as the primary audience as they have the potential to make a difference and safeguard the environment in the future,” says Debbie.

“The problem and challenge we face in our digital society is the reduced time children spend playing outside.

“Our research shows that Australian children are at risk of growing into an unhappy generation by living an inside lifestyle and being disconnected from the natural world.

“But the impacts of just adding nature are significant, including benefits to mental and physical health and wellbeing.

“We all need nature to thrive!”

To get involved with National Tree Day visit treeday.planetark.org or call  1300 885000. Schools are also welcome to contact Lisa Gray at Canberra Toyota on 6221 3545 about Schools Tree Day support.

 

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Ian Meikle, editor

Kate Meikle

Kate Meikle

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