Council targets 450 new trees for National Tree Day 2021
Published on 12 May 2021
Mildura South Wetlands and Apex Park are about to receive a fresh boost of greenery with 450 new tree plantings as Mildura Rural City Council marks National Tree Day 2021.
Councillor for Environment and Sustainability Jodi Reynolds said Council has been a long-time supporter of National Tree Day, planting thousands of trees across the region in support of the national event over more than 10 years.
While National Tree Day falls on 1 August, Council has elected to mark the day two months earlier this year with two events on Sunday 16 May and Sunday 30 May.
Cr Reynolds said this would provide more time for new plantings to establish before the arrival of the hotter summer months.
She said National Tree Day was an important initiative that supported both the community and the environment.
“Planting trees provides a host of benefits for the environment. It helps combat greenhouse gas emissions, increases biodiversity, cleans the air we breathe, helps prevent soil erosion and creates and restores habitats for native wildlife,” Cr Reynolds said.
“It also has social benefits by creating spaces for family and friends to enjoy once trees have grown.
“Getting together and planting trees for events such as National Tree Day is also a great social activity, providing a fun, easy activity for anyone to take part in and meet new people, evidenced by the fact that about 300,000 people participate nationally each year.”
Mildura’s National Tree Day activities will be based at the following locations, which have been chosen to help establish natural habitat, provide amenity for local residents and further beautify the areas:
Sunday 16 May – 250 tree plantings
Mildura South Wetlands (Dunning Wetlands)
Corner of Walnut Avenue and Panorama Drive
10.30am start
Sunday 30 May – 200 tree plantings
Apex Park
Meeting point is the Apex Park car park
10.30am start.
People wishing to participate can simply attend each of the tree-planting days. There is no need to register.
Gardening gloves and tools, watering cans, buckets and drinking water will all be provided. Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing including sturdy shoes and long pants.
National Tree Day was started in 1996 by Planet Ark and Olivia Newton-John and has grown to become one of Australia’s largest community tree-planting and nature protection events, targeting over one million new trees, plants and grasses planted each year.
For more information contact Environmental Sustainability Officer Nardia Baker on 5018 8100 or nardia.baker@mildura.vic.gov.au
ENDS