Lions

For many years, hundreds of Lions Clubs around Australia have been helping to support National Tree Day.

Once again this year, Lions clubs are adding terrific value to the event by providing helping hands and BBQs at hundreds of tree planting sites. They are also heavily promoting Tree Day in The Lion magazine, state newsletters and via the Lions' dedicated Tree Day website at www.lionsclubs.org.au

"Tree Day is a great opportunity for Clubs to get together with local community members to do something positive for the environment. I encourage every Club to approach their council, school or green group and find ways to participate in this very worthwhile project. Let's combine our individual Club efforts and make a positive contribution to the environment!"

Bryan Pirie
Lions Tree Day Coordinator and
Public Relations Chairman 201N5
For information on how your club can get involved, email Bryan Pirie at Lions@planetark.com.

For more information about Lions involment in Tree Day, visit the Lions website

The following article is from the national Lions Club Magazine:

Calling all green Lions

For over five years Lions Clubs throughout Australia have been active supporters of Planet Ark's National Tree Day, Australia's largest community tree planting event.

Last year Lions members helped at, or co-ordinated, over 300 tree planting sites by working with the local councils or other community groups, often providing sausage sizzles and drinks for the volunteers.

This year, National Tree Day is on Sunday, July 30, and Schools Tree Day falls on Friday, July 28. However, tree planting days can also be organised on alternative dates better suited to local weather conditions.

Lions Clubs can either organise their own tree planting sites in local parks, schools, creeks, roadside or bush, or help local councils or schools with existing sites. It's a great day out and a terrific way to help green up Australia!

"National Tree Day also provides Lions Clubs with an opportunity to invite friends, family and potential new Lions members to come along," says Bryan Pirie, Lions National Tree Day Co-ordinator. "Some clubs also use the day to plant seedlings in memory of passed Lions. Whatever your contribution to this event it is important to register your efforts so that Lions is accredited". Don't delay - now is the time to contact your local council or Planet Ark to find out how you can help.

Clarinda Lions Club digs in!

Thanks to the great work of the greenthumbs at Clarinda Lions Club and Parks Victoria over a number of years, parklands in Melbourne's southeastern suburbs have been rehabilitated and revegetated.

Six years ago, a series of sandpits from Karkarook Park to Braeside Park were devoid of any vegetation except for a few weeds and a couple of old gum trees. Today, the first two stages of rehabilitation are complete, with the creation of serpentine wetlands, trails, an access road and parking. The lake has been filled and revegetation is an ongoing project.

On National Tree Day 2005, Parks Victoria provided trees and grasses for the area and various Lions Clubs and local community members provided the planting muscle. The satisfying day of planting was finished with a barbecue provided by the Moorabbin Club and cooked to perfection by the Clarinda Club.

IKEA

IKEA has been instrumental in promoting Planet Ark's 'National Tree Day'. This year, they will be promoting the event in their stores and via the IKEA International Magazine and web site, encouraging their staff and customers to get on-board. They'll also be selling native trees in all of their stores in the lead-up to this year's Tree Day.

IKEA generously donated all the furniture for an in-house call centre, which enabled Planet Ark to establish the National Tree Day Hotline office.

"I'm thrilled that IKEA is able to participate in National Tree Day each year. It's such a practical thing that we can do to make a positive difference to the environment".

Gae Gregory
Environment Coordinator
IKEA Australia

www.ikea.com/au

Australian Geographic

For the third consecutive year, Australian Geographic has come on-board for Tree Day. The retail chain displays promotional material in the lead-up to the event, publicises Tree Day in the winter catalogue and the Australian Geographic Journal and provides fantastic prizes to incentivise Site Coordinators to send in their results after the event.

"As a way of increasing biodiversity and provide food and shelter for our native birds and wildlife, it would be great if you could join us in planting trees on Tree Day this year," says Rory Scott, Managing Director of Australian Geographic.