HUNDREDS of trees have been planted across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula over the last two weeks to mark National Tree Day.
Events were organised statewide to mark National Schools Tree Day on 26 July and National Tree Day on 28 July. Among the locations which hosted planting events were Wallace Reserve in Frankston, Carrum Downs Secondary College, Patterson River Secondary College, Aldercourt Primary School, Banyan Fields Primary School, Seaford Park Primary School, and Skye Primary School.
Students from Frankston Heights Primary School planted the trees at Wallace Reserve. Frankston Heights Primary School teacher Candice Bush said “our school considers the environment an important aspect of our students’ education. The students learn about environment and sustainability practices through our school’s science program. We’re proud of the fact we’re very community minded and have established strong links with the Friends of Wallace Reserve and Frankston City Council’s Environmental Network.”
Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea attended six school plantings and donated 20 trees. She said “trees are so important to the beauty, health and wellbeing of our people and our planet. Students are the future caretakers of our planet. It is vital they are supported to understand their role in protecting the natural environment now and into the future.”
Not-for-profit PlanetArk is behind the National Tree Day initiative. Its CEO Rebecca Gilling said “we know through our experiences with the National Tree Day program that there are significant benefits associated with spending time in nature, including enhanced learning, concentration, healing, relaxation and recovery, to name just a few.”
“Time in nature helps us thrive as individuals – physically, intellectually, emotionally, mentally, and ethically – and research suggests this is something young Australians really need at this time,” she said. “By engaging young minds in environmental initiatives like National Tree Day, we are equipping them with the tools they need to support mental health and wellbeing and become responsible stewards of our planet.”
For more information visit treeday.planetark.org.