25 July, 2013
Get your hands dirty and help the planet
National Tree Day is on Sunday 28 July so why not spend a day in the great outdoors and get your hands dirty to help the planet.
Planting starts at 11am and will run until 2pm in Tainmundilla (Park 11) at the corner of War Memorial Drive and Bundy’s Road. There will be a free barbeque and refreshments, as well as face painting and entertainment.
“The day provides a great opportunity for the community to come together to do something good for the environment and for the Park Lands,” said Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood.
“You don’t need to be an expert gardener, just willing to give it a go and have a passion for making a difference. All ages are welcome – bring the family and make a day of it.”
Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister Ian Hunter has praised Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood for embracing the important program.
"We couldn't achieve the excellent results without the enthusiasm of South Australians and the support of local government," he says.
"Enthusiasm for planting is growing each year, with about 2200 people volunteering at Million Trees sites in 2012."
The seedlings to be planted are local native species of the Adelaide Plains region and will increase the biodiversity of the river bank, providing better habitat for insects and birds.
National Tree Day is coordinated by Planet Ark and each year, City of Adelaide, in partnership with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resource’s Million Trees Program, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Trees for Life and CMI Toyota, sponsors a tree planting site.
“CMI Toyota are proud to be associated with National Tree Day and excited to once again join forces with the City of Adelaide to plant seedlings and help restore much needed vegetation within the local Adelaide Park Lands,” CMI Toyota General Manager, Roy Marando said.
The event began in 1996 and since then, more than three million volunteers have planted over 18.6 million native plants. The aim in Adelaide this year is to plant 2,000 local indigenous plants.
The SA Urban Forests - Million Trees Program was created by the South Australian Government to return three million local native trees to Greater Adelaide.
Since it was launched in June 2003, the Million Trees Program has planted over 2,500,000 trees, helping to clean the air and combat climate change.
Participants in Sunday’s events are advised to wear appropriate clothing – hat, covered shoes, long sleeved shirt, long pants and a rain jacket if required. Rubber gloves, tools and equipment for planting will be provided.
People can register prior to the event or just come along on the day. Further information, including directions to the site, can be found at http://www.cityofadelaide.com.au//whats_on/national-tree-planting-day