Tree Plantations Australia (TPA) applauds the efforts of Planet Ark in again organising this year’s National Tree Day, when over 250,000 volunteers will plant 1 million trees

CEO Phil Townsend said this is an important initiative as National Tree Day encourages school students and families to actively involve themselves in improving the Australian environment.
“School kids remember days like Tree Day and they will become more aware of environmental issues,” said Mr Townsend.
“It also gives families the opportunity be involved in a fun, outdoor activity which is great for the environment.”
Mr Townsend pointed out that the Australian Tree Plantation sector also contributes to the environment by planting, on average, 315,000 trees per day.
“These trees will be used to produce the pulp for high quality paper products and the timber for the 165,000 houses built in Australia each year,” said Mr Townsend.
“The trees planted on National Tree Day, and by tree plantation companies, filter water, combat salinity, clean the air, increase the quality of water flowing into catchments and enhance biodiversity.”
For factsheets on the benefits of planting trees and the products derived from tree plantations, go to: http://www.nafi.com.au/tpa_infosheets.html
 
About National Tree Day
National Tree Day
Toyota’s National Tree Day association with Planet Ark began in 2000 and has proven crucial to the event’s success. Since 2000, approximately seven million trees have been planted at ‘National Tree Day’ events, helping to re-establish animal habitats and helping to combat the effects of salinity and global warming.
Last year more than 237,000 Australians supported National Tree Day, planting over 1.2 million trees at over 3000 sites around the country.
Toyota Dealers have made a significant contribution to this effort. In 2004, 164 Toyota Dealers worked tirelessly with local communities and will join forces once again in 2005.
National Tree Day is coordinated by Planet Ark in association with Toyota and the AMP Foundation.
Schools Tree Day
Each year, on the Friday before National Tree Day, the schools of Australia lead the way on Schools National Tree Day, held on July 29th 2005.
Teachers, parents or other school associates can call the National Tree Day hotline on: 1300 88 5000 to have an information kit sent to them. This booklet tells you all you need to know about organising a tree planting site.
Who is Planet Ark?
Planet Ark is a wholly Australian organisation that works to help people reduce the day to day impact on the environment – at home, at work and within the community.
Planet Ark was established 14 years ago (1991) as a not-for-profit foundation by former Wimbledon champ Pat Cash and international charity campaigner Jon Dee. Planet Ark’s strength lies in the communities, councils, media outlets, companies and individuals who support the push to bring about real and positive environmental change.