Calling on all Australians to add to the 25 million trees planted to date

July 25, 2019

Toyota Australia’s dealer network, students and local communities are rallying together this week for Australia’s largest annual tree-planting and nature care events – Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day.

Earlier this week in South Australia, the Adelaide Crows squad were already out in force at Enfield Primary School for a Schools Tree Day activity. Supported by Conservation Volunteers SA and Toyota Australia, players attended the school for an assembly, followed by a series of fun and interactive planting sessions.

Tomorrow, Moreland City Council representatives are driving to Schools Tree Day in the Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), for a planting activity with Moreland Primary School students. The Mirai FCEV is currently with Moreland City Council as part of real-world trials being undertaken in Melbourne, and the water vapour emitted from the tailpipe of the vehicle is so clean it can even water plants.

Planet Ark and Toyota Australia are now calling on all Australians to add to the 25 million trees planted to date, with many events taking place across the country on 26 and 28 July.

Chief Marketing Officer of Toyota Australia, Wayne Gabriel, said the support and dedication to National Tree Day shown by Toyota dealers nationwide was a testament to the company’s values.

“Toyota Australia has been supporting National Tree day for 20 years and our commitment to a greener future is stronger than ever. Over 25 million trees have been planted since its inception in 1996 and every year we are proud to see a great turnout at sites all around the country.

“We encourage everyone to join an event and get their hands dirty this Sunday on National Tree Day,” he said.

“National Tree Day wouldn’t be Australia’s biggest tree-planting and nature care event without Toyota and their dealers’ support, as well as the hard work of volunteers around the country,” said Rebecca Gilling, Planet Ark’s Deputy CEO.

A record 218 Toyota Dealers are registered this year, hosting and supporting activities happening all around Australia, including some of the most longstanding supporters of National Tree Day:

Torque Toyota in Strathpine, QLD has been involved in National Tree Day for 12 years. This year, the dealership is engaged with over five schools for Schools Tree Day. In addition, Torque Toyota has donated 250 plants to the Pine Rivers Koala Care Facility and will support the local council’s National Tree Day event this Sunday.

Ballarat Toyota, Ballarat, VIC has been participating for 15 years. This year for Schools Tree Day, the dealership is partnering with Phoenix Community College to donate trees and supply gloves and t-shirts to participants. Ballarat Toyota also reach out to Landcare groups in the community to assist with their activities.

Brian Hilton Toyota, NSW has been a long-term supporter of National Tree Day for 18 years. This week, the dealership has delivered plants to 28 schools across the Central Coast and will also attend Holgate Public School on Schools Tree Day to assist with planting activities.

Maddington Toyota, Maddington, WA has been involved in National Tree Day for 20 years, in partnership with the City of Gosnells. In 2017, the Dealership’s National Tree Day support extended to Serpentine Jarrahdale Landcare. Christine Jecks, Maddington Toyota Customer Relations Manager, said: “It has been really satisfying for me personally to be able to see how successful our National Tree Day activities have been, and where I once dragged my teenage children out of bed to attend, I now have two very eager grandchildren to bring along on the 28th.”

Northpoint Toyota, Adelaide, SA has been proudly involved in National Tree Day since its inception 23 years ago, donating over 3000 native trees and shrubs to schools within their local community. This year, the Northpoint Toyota metropolitan sites are continuing to plant trees within local school grounds. To add to their activities, Northpoint Toyota Port Augusta are partnering with the Port Augusta City Council, planting at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. They have invited local schools to plant a tree on Schools Tree Day. On National Tree Day this Sunday, another festival inspired tree-planting event will be held at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens for the general community, plus other activities, including Kungka Tjuta women painting, garden tours and children’s nature craft activities.

Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day are Australia’s largest annual tree-planting and nature care events and take place on Friday 26 July and Sunday 28 July. This is an initiative 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.

To find out more or to take part, visit treeday.planetark.org, call the National Tree Day Hotline on 1300 88 5000 or visit your local participating Toyota Australia Dealership.