By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
STUDENTS at three local schools swapped school books for seedlings last week as part of the annual National Tree Day event.
Garfield Primary School, Berwick Lodge Primary School and Beaconhills College teamed up with the Pakenham and Berwick Toyota dealerships last Friday 24 July to participate in the 20th Planet Ark Tree Day.
Toyota staff and parent volunteers rolled up their sleeves and pulled on their gardening gloves to assist students in the planting the native trees.
Dealer principal of Pakenham Toyota and Berwick Toyota Sam Freer said that supporting National Tree Day had become a permanent priority of the dealerships.
“We’re very excited to be able to celebrate this significant milestone for National Tree Day,” he said.
“Toyota has a long tradition of supporting local communities and National Tree Day is a great way for us to give something back.”
Planet Ark spokesperson Debbie Agnew added that it was pleasing to see the day so widely recognised throughout Australia.
“To see National Tree Day reach its 20th year is very exciting,“ she said.
“Over the past two decades, Australians have stood behind the initiative and made a real contribution to the health of their local communities and the environment.”
National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day have seen over 21 million trees planted over the past 20 years, with more than 300,000 Australians taking part in the event in 2014.
The day was officially held last Sunday 26 July.
