Time to get your hands dirty
Published on 16 July 2015
National Tree Day is fast becoming one of the most popular community events and Mildura Rural City Council is again hosting a tree planting day at the Mildura South Wetlands on Sunday 26 July.
Held annually National Tree Day is a Planet Ark initiative and is Australia’s largest tree-planting and nature care event with over 1million native trees, shrubs and grasses planted around the nation each year.
Environmental Sustainability Portfolio Councillor Judi Harris is encouraging everyone to come along and get involved.
“National Tree Day is a great environmental program,” Cr Harris said. “National Tree Day not only promotes a healthy environment, but also better health and wellbeing for the community. It’s an opportunity for everyone to get together, meet new people and get a little bit of exercise.
“This year we are aiming to plant around 500 shrubs with the focus on plants that provide a native habitat for our indigenous wetland animals and that will also thrive in an urban environment.”
“Last year we managed to plant all 400 shrubs in record time and it was great to see so many people come along and get involved.”
According to Planet Ark, each year over 200,000 people take part in National Tree Day at 4000 sites across the country. Since Planet Ark launched National Tree Day in 1996, around three million participants have planted 21million native seedlings.
“It’s important that people wear appropriate clothing including good, sturdy shoes and long pants,” Cr Harris said. “Gloves, tools, watering cans and buckets, drinking water and refreshments will all be supplied, as well as a BBQ lunch.
“There will also be plant giveaways and lots of fun for the whole family.”
Participants can just turn up on the day but Council is encouraging everyone to register online http://treeday.planetark.org/site/10009621
“By registering online people can elect to receive Planet Arks’ online newsletter which will give them added information about local and national environmental initiatives,” said Cr Harris.
“This is a wonderful community event, so please come along, get your hands dirty and enjoy a day out.”
National Tree Day site information
Mildura South Wetlands
Telfer Wetland on Walnut Avenue
Sunday 26 July
10am – 12noon
ENDS
Media enquiries
Angela Umback
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au