Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Green Corps celebrates World Environment Day

Green Corps sites around Australia will today mark World Environment Day by doing what they do best – conserving, preserving and restoring Australia’s natural environment and cultural heritage Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, said.

“Green Corps is the Coalition Government’s landmark youth development and environmental training program. The program recruits up to 1,700 young Australians aged between 17 and 20 years each year and helps these young Australians to engage with the community while receiving quality training.”

Achievements of the Green Corps program to date have been remarkable. Projects around the country have seen:

  • the planting of 4 million trees,
  • the erection of 2,000 kilometres of fencing,
  • the removal of more than 30,000 hectares of weeds,
  • the collection of more than 5 tons of seeds, and
  • the construction or maintenance of more than 1,600 kilometres of walking track.

World Environment Day was also marked by the announcement that Green Corps projects will take part in Planet Ark’s National Tree Day to be held 27 July 2003. National Tree Day is a Planet Ark initiative, in partnership with Toyota and AMP Foundation.

“The spirit of Green Corps is based on the protection of Australia’s environment and heritage whilst encouraging community participation and I am pleased Green Corps will be a part of National Tree Day,” Mr Anthony said.

Media Note: Several Green Corps projects around the country will hold events to mark World Environment Day and launch their participation in Planet Ark’s National Tree Day. For more details contact Jo Wallace on 0407 201 394.