Farrer MP and Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley is encouraging communities across the nation to plant a tree on Sunday week as part of National Tree Day.

According to Ms Ley, the nation’s largest community tree-planting event on Sunday 28 July gives Australians from all walks of life an opportunity to do something positive in their local environment.

“Trees give us fresh, cleaner air, provide food and shelter for local wildlife, remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and make our towns and cities more liveable.”

“In rural areas we are also keenly aware healthy trees and native vegetation offer benefits to farmers, by reducing land degradation and salinity, improving water quality, storing carbon, and contributing to on-farm production.”

“There’s more than a dozen ‘tree planting sites’ on both sides of the border, and I encourage anyone with a bit of time next weekend to drop by and dig in towards our future”, Ms Ley said.

Planet Ark established National Tree Day 1996, with almost five million volunteers planting 25 million trees around Australia – the addition of Schools Tree Day (26 July) makes a further significant contribution to the health of our environment.

The Australian Government is also playing its part through the 20 Million Trees Program.

As of March this year more than 18 million trees have been planted across the country, improving the condition of native vegetation, supporting native species and helping to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

To find a National Tree Day site link here or call the Planet Ark hotline on 1300 88 5000.