ECEC services can make a tangible and sustainable difference on National Tree Day

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services around Australia are being asked to join the push for a greener and more sustainable future by participating in National Tree Day, to be held on 29 July, 2022. 

National Tree Day is officially recognised on 31 July, however a special “schools” day has been created on 29 July to allow education facilities everywhere, including ECEC services, to get children involved in the sustainability initiative. 

Established in 1996, National Tree Day has grown into Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care event. The program is a call to action for all Australians to “get their hands dirty and give back to their community.”  

Each year, around 300,000 people volunteer their time to engage in environmental activities that educate Australians about the world around them. Since 1996, over 26 million trees have been planted around the country by over 5 million volunteers thanks to the initiative. 

In 2022, Planet Ark hopes that Australians will plant a million native trees, shrubs and grasses in support of Australia’s environment and communities. Tree planting and nature care events will be hosted by schools, councils and community groups around the country, and a range of educational resources have been developed to support. 

The Seedling Bank program, which provides financial support to National Tree Day volunteers for planting activities has given funding to 90 schools and community groups to date, resulting in 38,000 seedlings planted.

There are a number of ways for individuals and ECEC services to get involved, including finding and volunteering at a National Tree Day planting site, hosting a site at an ECEC service, workplace, school or in the community, or donating to The Seedling Bank. 

To access resources which support the program, please visit the Planet Ark website.