National Tree Day for ECEC to take place tomorrow – how can you get involved?

Thousands of early childhood educators, children, families and community members will be rolling up their sleeves tomorrow to get behind National Tree Day, an annual initiative which aims to contribute to the restoration and preservation of our natural environment. 

National Tree Day is officially marked on 30 July, however since this is a weekend, schools and early childhood settings are encouraged to get involved on Schools Tree Day, which is 28 July. 

Native trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted all over Australia, and this year’s plantings will bring the total to over 27 million native trees, shrubs and grasses since the program was established in 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.

“Planting a tree signifies the commitment we have 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 generations to come,” said Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling.

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 the creation of a sustainable future,” Ms Gilling continued.

Outdoor learning and nature play have been shown to play an important role in the growth and development of children, and events such as National Tree Day ensure that the environment will remain in tact for such initiatives to thrive

“By engaging young minds in environmental initiatives like National Tree Day, we are equipping them with the tools they need to become responsible stewards of our planet,” Ms Gilling said.

This year, Planet Ark is proud to celebrate the remarkable growth of The Seedling Bank, a program that provides schools and community groups across the country with funds to acquire native seedlings for regeneration projects. Since its inception, The Seedling Bank has directly funded the planting of over 80,000 seedlings in 132 school and community groups.

In 2023, another 119 groups will plant over 50,000 seedlings using funding from The Seedling Bank. Projects include rewilding efforts on degraded former pastoral land in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, habitat planting for the critically endangered Western Ringtail Possum in the southwest corner of Western Australia, students planting Miyawaki forests and more.

A collection of these stories will be published in this year’s Tree Talk report, which highlights key initiatives being supported by The Seedling Bank each year.

National Tree Day is an initiative organised by Planet Ark in partnership with Toyota Australia and its Dealer Network, who are celebrating 24 years as major sponsor of the program.

“For nearly a quarter century, Toyota’s partnership with Planet Ark has helped to enhance over 66,000 communities, neighbourhoods and sites with native trees, shrubs and grasses,” said Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer Vin Naidoo.

“National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day is about heading out into the great outdoors, getting your hands dirty, and connecting with the local community.”

National Tree Day is also supported by the New South Wales Government.

To find out how to participate or locate an event near you, visit treeday.planetark.org