Toyota Australia and its dealerships are celebrating 25 years of support to Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day, the country’s most significant planting events.
Organised by Planet Ark, Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day take place on Friday, July 26, and Sunday, July 28. Local Toyota dealerships across the country assist local schools, councils, and community groups with various planting activities.
This year, 131 Toyota dealerships will participate in Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day events across Australia. They will provide helpful gear for planting days, including hats, gloves, tree guards, seedlings, and vouchers.
More than five million volunteers have rolled up their sleeves in the past 25 years to participate in these annual tree-planting events, contributing to planting 27 million native trees, shrubs and grasses nationwide.
Queensland-based Don West Toyota has been involved in National Tree Day for 25 years and has played a pivotal role in regenerating several planting sites in the heart of Ayr.
Dealer principal Darren West says the first planting site took place at the Ayr Racecourse and has been completely transformed, which is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together.
“Originally, it was a racecourse with no trees, but now it’s just full of gum trees. We’ve planted many trees there over the years, and the once-barren site is now filled with eucalyptus, bottlebrush, and various other native species, providing a backdrop for wedding photos and a serene escape for locals,” West says.
“Today, the old Ayr Racecourse stands as a lush, green oasis, and it’s hard to believe that you can’t see through the track anymore because it’s filled with trees, a stark contrast to its racing days,” he says.
Clare Valley Toyota in South Australia is marking 23 years of support for National Tree Day, while Bill Robertson Toyota (QLD), Torque Toyota (QLD), Nyngan Toyota (NSW), and Ian Weigh Toyota (QLD) are all celebrating 20 years of support.
Planet Ark chief executive Rebecca Gilling says Toyota Australia and its dealer network have been invaluable to the National Tree Day program since it became a major sponsor in 1999.
“We could not have achieved the results we have through the National Tree Day program without the ongoing support by Toyota Australia to Planet Ark and the many dealerships that have supported community planting events around the country.”
“Our relationship over the last quarter century is unique in terms of its length and closeness and is a testament to Toyota’s care for building a greener future in Australia,” Gilling said.
Toyota Australia chief marketing officer Vin Naidoo says Toyota and its dealer network are proud to be celebrating its 25th year supporting Planet Ark.
“The ongoing support through this important partnership demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to sustainability and maintaining our native Australian environment,” Naidoo says.
“As we mark this impressive milestone, we encourage all Australians to get outdoors in nature and plant a native tree or shrub to contribute to the 27 million trees already planted,” he says.
For those who can’t attend Planet Ark’s National Tree Day events this year, another way to connect with nature is through donations to The Seedling Bank – a program launched in 2019 that supplies native seedlings to schools and community groups around Australia.
To find a local planting event visit: https://treeday.planetark.org/find-a-site/ or visit a local participating Toyota Australia Dealership.
