Hawkesbury City Council in conjunction with Planet Ark, are inviting residents to be inspired by nature and make a positive difference by attending a National Tree Day event in their neighbourhood.
The annual FREE plant giveaway will be held at Hawkesbury Community Nursery, 10 Mulgrave Road, Mulgrave, on Saturday, 29 July from 9:30am – noon to celebrate National Tree Day.
This event is a success each year, with over 1,000 free plants to be given away to residents. Residents of the Hawkesbury are eligible to receive two free plants per person or six free plants per family as part of the giveaway. To receive your free plants, proof of residency is required. Plants will only be provided to residents and family members in attendance.
Over 13 local organisations will also be in attendance as part of this green day to provide you with all the answers you have been looking for, about waste and recycling, Landcare, National Parks, Aboriginal culture, bush regeneration, plants, Indian Myna control, wetlands, weeds, nest boxes, and your local environment.
“National Tree Day is an exciting opportunity to connect with our local community, to do something good for our environment and experience the many benefits that come from spending time in nature,” said Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett.
Research shows that exposure to nature improves mental and physical health and also helps children learn about the natural world. There’s no better way to embrace these benefits than by taking part in Planet Ark’s iconic environmental campaign, now in its 22 nd year.
“Our fast-paced, screen-driven lifestyle means children are losing touch with nature in a way we have never experienced before, and missing out on developing a life-long connection to nature,” said Planet Ark’s National Tree Day Manager Debbie Agnew.
“However, there are lots of simple ways parents, teachers and carers can add more nature time to children’s lives, such as taking indoor activities, like homework, meals and lessons, outdoors, or participating in events like National Tree Day. This year’s National Tree Day theme – Be Inspired: It’s in Our Nature – highlights how nature ignites our inspiration, creativity and purpose, as well as offering significant health and wellbeing benefits,” Agnew said.
Last year nearly 310,000 people took part in National Tree Day at over 3,500 sites across the country, planting more than 1.1 million native trees, shrubs and edibles and helping to green urban areas.
To find out more visit treeday.planetark.org, call the National Tree Day Hotline on 1300 88 5000 or visit your local participating Toyota Australia Dealership.
National Tree Day is organised by Planet Ark in partnership with Toyota Australia and its Dealer Network which provides on-the- ground support at tree planting sites across Australia.
The annual Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter Open Day will also be held on the same day as the plant giveaway just next door, so there will be something for all members of the family, including pets. These events will launch Local Government Week 2017 (31 July – 6 August).
If you are unable to make it to collect your free plants on 29 July, the Nursery will have a small supply of plants to giveaway on Monday, 31 July from 10.30am – noon.
For more information about the plant giveaway, contact Council’s Community Bushcare Officer, Martin Gauci on (02) 4560 4525 or [email protected].
