Blue Mountains City Council

National Tree Day for schools is Friday 29^th July, 2011

National Tree Day for community groups is Sunday 31 July, 2011

 

National Tree Day is a community event, overall organized by Planet Ark, all across Australia. The goal is to increase people’s care and understanding of their local environment. It is also a community building activity, with locals organizing tree planting sites. Children especially like to follow the progress of their tree or other plants. Schools use the opportunity to create a bush garden or plant on the boundaries. 

 

Blue Mountains City Council supports National Tree by providing seedlings (about 40 tube stock) or 15-20 more mature plants. Note that in the Blue Mountains, especially in the upper mountains, it can be too cold to plant on this date. Register and talk with Planet Ark / Wildplant Rescue about another planting day in spring.

 

To participate in National Tree Day is easy!

 

Step 1: Register your site or school with Planet Ark

(free registration)

Phone 1300 88 5000

Online www.treeday.planetark.org   

 

Step 2: Register with BMCC to receive a voucher for free trees

Phone 4780 5588 and talk with Anna or Suzanne of Environment Sustainability Branch

Or email: annapurvissmith@bmcc.nsw.gov.au        

 

Step 3: Talk with Wildplant rescue on what range of seedlings/plants you want – they can provide expert advice about local provenance and what might be appropriate for your site.

Phone 4782 6233.

 

Step 4: Pick up your plants from Wildplant Rescue @14 Oak Street, Katoomba

 

Step 5: Plant those trees!

 

Step 6: Take photos, record how many participated and let BMCC know how the day went (Planet Ark will want to know as well!)

 

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The Environment Sustainability branch has a range of programs that can help schools plan long term about protect the native bushland around their schools. Please contact the Education for Sustainability program for more details.

 

Planet Ark and BMCC have educational materials that might be helpful. Please see websites or talk with us directly.

 

This year is the United Nations Year of Forests! For more information on how to celebrate Forests in Australia, see this website http://www.internationalyearofforests.com.au/