National Tree Day started in 1996 as an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Since then more than 3.8 million people have planted 23 million trees and plants.

Eurobodalla residents can pick up free native plants for their garden this Sunday, July 30 at the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens from the Eurobodalla Council’s Plant Swap.

All they have to do is remove environmental weeds from their garden, pop them in a bag and bring them to the Botanic Gardens between 10am and 2pm.

The council’s natural resource supervisor Courtney Fink-Downes said that planting natives was a perfect way to be part of the biggest nature event in the country. 

“Research commissioned by Planet Ark and Toyota Australia who jointly organise National Tree Day proves that planting trees is not only good for the environment but good for you too,” she said.

“The research shows a multitude of benefits associated with green time including enhanced learning, concentration, healing, relaxation and recovery, to name a few.”

The council’s environmental team is partnering with local schools for Schools Tree Day to plant native vegetation on their properties, helping them to be more bush-friendly and to attract native birds.

Tree Day also ties in with the work of local Landcare groups, who are involved in a range of environmental protection initiatives.

To find out more about the work of Council’s environmental team, visit the environmental education trailer at the council’s pop-up festival Council Life, from 10am-3pm on Tuesday, August 1 at the Council Chambers at Moruya.

Alternatively visit the council’s website at www.esc.nsw.gov.au or phone 4474 1000.