It’s time to get our hands dirty, because Planet Ark’s National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day are right around the corner! Let’s take a look at when these events are taking place, and how we can get involved through our communities, councils, schools, and businesses.
Image: National Tree Day / Planet Ark
National Tree Day & Schools Tree Day 2022
Planet Ark’s National Tree Day is taking place on Sunday, 31 July 2022, with Schools Tree Day taking place a couple days earlier — on Friday, 29 July 2022. More than 300,000 volunteers take part in National Tree Day every year, and around 3,000 students participate on Schools Tree Day!
These two days are a great opportunity to plant native trees in your local park, garden, reserve, bushland or foreshore area whilst getting to know people in your community. Revegetating barren areas with native plants is the easiest way to support healthy biodiversity in your area.
In 2019, Planet Ark established The Seedling Bank to provide financial support to schools and community groups where seedlings are needed the most. So far, 90 groups have received funding, planting more than 39,000 seedlings in Aus.
Image: National Tree Day / Planet Ark
The Impact Of National Tree Day Since 1996
Did you know that National Tree Day began way back in 1996? From humble beginnings, Planet Ark’s National Tree Day has grown into Australia's largest community tree planting and nature care event!
It’s pretty clear that Australians love getting their hands dirty for a good cause. Since 1996, more than 26 million trees have been planted by over 5 million people! Every year, these numbers continue to grow — thanks to the hard work and passion shown by volunteers all over the country.
Volunteers from community groups, schools, councils and businesses have offered more than 10 million hours of their time to make the world a greener place. We think that’s definitely worth celebrating!
Image: National Tree Day / Planet Ark
National Tree Day School & Community Competitions!
If you have an eye for design, you could win a $1,000 garden voucher for your school or community! This year, Planet Ark is inviting students from Early Learning Centres, Primary Schools and High Schools to share their green garden designs to go in the running to win a $1,000 voucher.
If you’re an educator, your class can submit a drawing, poster, written story or video via the 2022 Schools Competition. Your students will need to tell Planet Ark why and how they want to bring nature into their school for a chance to win the garden makeover. The 2022 Community Competition is exactly the same process! Your idea might consist of a new wildflower garden, a community veggie patch, or a plan to incorporate more native trees into a local park.
Image: National Tree Day / Planet Ark
Will You Take Part In National Tree Day?
With National Tree Day approaching, let’s take a look at some of the ways we can get involved this year!
- Schools: Each year, more than 3,000 students from early learning centres, primary schools and high schools take part in Schools Tree Day. Register your school and inspire your students to learn about their local environment!
- Communities: Register a site to gain access to all the resources you’ll need to make the day a success.
- Councils: Hundreds of councils organise National Tree Day events every year. Planet Ark recommends incorporating other environmental activities like composting workshops, live music, sustainability workshops and native plant giveaways!
- Businesses: Register for National Tree Day to support your local community and engage in team-building skills.
Will you take part in Planet Ark’s National Tree Day this year? Remember, National Tree Day is taking place on Sunday, 31 July 2022, and Schools Tree Day taking place a couple days earlier — on Friday, 29 July 2022. Share your impact on social media via #NationalTreeDay!
For more awesome tree planting initiatives here and around the world, check out our Eco News category and the blogs below.
South Australian Study Reveals New Way To Keep Streets Cooler & Greener
Sony Will Plant A Tree When You Progress In This PlayStation Game!