“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.And I’m asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs–“
… to join in and plant some native trees and shrubs on National Tree Day, because National Tree Day (Sunday, 29 July) and Schools Tree Day (Friday, 27 July) is fast approaching.
Ben and I will be out lending a hand in our local community and helping The Friends of Toolern Creek to plant this Sunday. We want to help preserve our local environment, and will be planting local native trees and shrubs. Details about local plantings events can be found at the Planet Ark find-a-site page.
More than 17 million native trees and shrubs have been planted by approximately 2.5 million volunteers over the years participating in this event.
Did you know that National Tree Day was co-founded by Olivia Newton-John and Jon Dee in 1996? Well it certainly has come a long way since the late 90’s, as the media release I received explains;
“This year, National Tree Day is organised by Planet Ark in partnership with Toyota and its extensive Dealer network and encourages all Australians to come together with their local community, sporting group or local school to plant trees and give back to the environment.
In what has become Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care event, sports stars, environmentalists, media personalities and country music greats each year team up with local communities to get their hands dirty in support of Toyota’s involvement in National Tree Day.
2012 marks Toyota’s 13th year of support for the nationwide campaign which encourages communities to help preserve the environment for future generations.”
Fortunately, for Australian residents, Toyota Australia has also sent me a $100 Bunnings Warehouse gift voucher to give-away to one of my readers with which to purchase and plant native trees, shrubs and grasses in their local area.
I apologise to my international readers,and I am sorry there is no voucher available for you. However, I do urge you to go plant a tree anyway, and get the kids involved.
So you Aussie readers, all you have to do is leave me a comment of 50 words or less, describing the place that you would plant your native trees and shrubs and why you would plant there if you won the voucher. Oh, and a small plug about this post and the National Tree Day event via any form of social media (via the Facebook, Twitter, email etc. icons at the bottom of this post) would be greatly appreciated.
The best entry will be judged by Kim, Ben and I, and will be drawn on Thursday evening at 7.30pm AEST. The winner can then contact me via email and the voucher will be sent to you post haste, hopefully getting there in time for the event. The judges decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
Thanks to Planet Ark and Toyota Australia for their sponsorship/support of this great event.
So get those creative juices flowing, and don’t forget to check if there is a local event in your area and register your interest.
Oh, and good luck with your entry in the contest!
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” ~ Greek proverb
Hi Gavin,
I’m a primary school teacher and I would love to win that voucher to help my children plant trees around our school. Our school has a few bare patches that could use some native trees!
Cheers,
Alexia
Hi Gavin,
I am a mother of two small boys and am raising them to have an open mind and a compassionate heart. We will be planting native plants in our home town of Seymour along the Goulburn River. Making small choices today for a better future tomorrow.
Cheers Brooke
I’ll jump in! I’d plant some native grasses at my local primary school. I’m helping them to design a permaculture garden, although we’re still just in the “getting organised” phase.
Also, I got sent a Bunnings voucher as well and am doing a giveaway of my own – I’d love for your readers to come visit for another chance at a prize! Hope you don’t mind me mentioning it here.
Green-Change.com – National Tree Day 2012 Giveaway
I would buy native plants (wet sclerophyll and rainforest plants) for the area around my dam. Presently, the area has a high weed infestation and a low soil seed bank. With the new plants I could re-establish the biodiversity of the area, stabilise the soils and improve the water quality.