Green Corps teams get into the spirit of National Tree Day

Green Corps teams across Australia will be out in force planting native trees as part of National Tree Day, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, said today.

“Some of the activities the Green Corps teams will be involved in range from native seed sowing challenge’s with local schools to walking trail planting,” Mr Anthony said.

“Now in its eighth year, National Tree Day is a community tree planting initiative organised by Planet Ark and sponsored by Toyota and AMP Foundation.

“Green Corps is a great voluntary program which helps young Australians to engage with the community while providing them with the opportunity to conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s natural environment and cultural heritage.

“The program provides quality training and experience through structured and supervised natural environment conservation projects and cultural heritage restoration projects.

“Program participants get hands-on experience working on environmental projects and gain other skills from web site development and desktop publishing to media relations, education and event management.

“The Australian Government has committed $69 million to the program, contracting Job Futures and Greening Australia to deliver the program nationally from 2002 to 2005.

“National Tree Day gives the Green Corps teams another great opportunity to get out and make a real difference to the environment.”

For more information call the National Tree Day hotline on 1300 88 5000.

National Tree Day takes place on Sunday, 27 July 2003 with Schools Tree Day on Friday 25 July.